“Baylor People are God’s People”

Posted on November 19, 2014 by alicroom

By Micah Furlong

“Baylor People are God’s People” – this is the thought that keeps running through my head as I try to understand my own situation.

I’ll spare you all the gory details, but it seems like my best friend has abandoned me after eight years, and my relationship is coming to an end after four. These pillars of who I am are suddenly gone, and in this moment, it seems as if I’ve lost my foundation.

But I am not abandoned.

When I first realized what was going on, I felt so alone. Very quickly, I was asked what was happening, but not in some fake “I’m only curious – I don’t really want to listen” kind of way. I cried alone, and when I felt more stable, I was invited to come and cry with friends. In that place, I was welcomed not as some victim to be pitied, but as a brother to be comforted. We stayed up until four in the morning, crying, talking and running over innocent civilians in Grand Theft Auto. My friend had classes the next day and an exam worth 30 percent of his grade, but he gave up those precious hours of sleep to be with me.

Now, I can’t guarantee that if you come to Baylor, you’ll have as good of friends as I have been blessed to receive. But, honestly, these are some of the best people I’ve ever been around. At Baylor, the Christian mentality is not a “holier-than-thou” routine – although there certainly are those folks. It seems as if this community is made up of people still learning what it means to even be a Christian and trying to practice that conviction.

I don’t know where I heard the phrase, “Baylor’s people are God’s people,” but it keeps reverberating in the echoes of my mind. This change and potential loss of hugely important people in my life has been horrible, and I might have been able to stop it if I was at home. But I know that I am supposed to be at Baylor. Now that I’m here, in the midst of this community, I have found a loving group of people who are just as lost as I and yet who seek Jesus in all of their actions.

I hope that, if you come to Baylor, you can experience the same blessing.

Fall Means Football In the South

Posted on November 17, 2014 by alicroom

By Emily Martin

I have never been a huge fan of football. I lived overseas in Singapore for seven years, so the only “football” we had involving playing with a round ball and our feet. Attending Baylor has definitely changed my outlook on this popular American sport, and now it is one of my favorite things about this university.

My favorite football memory by far is my very first experience running the Baylor Line. I was in the very front of the Line, which seemed like a great idea at the time. However, as soon as the rope dropped and people started darting across the field, I was dragged down by a girl behind me and trampled until my roommate pulled me back up. It’s been a year, and I still have a scar from the turf burn. I love that scar because it reminds me of how much fun it was to run the Line. I never missed a chance to put on my Line Jersey and help to support my school.

This year is a little different now that I’m not running the Line, but it is still just as much fun to attend games! It is funny how you form such bonds with total strangers during a game. You’ll be high-fiving people you’ve never met before and bonding with your neighbor over a bad call made by the referees. Football definitely brings out a different side of people when the game intensifies!

Another aspect of football that I never really understood until I came to college is watch parties. I thought that football was boring, and I didn’t understand why people would want to waste four hours of their lives just to watch a game on TV. Now that I am a Baylor student, however, I absolutely love cheering on my team! My favorite watch party by far was for the OU game. All of the Waco Young Life leaders got together at my friend Sharon’s house and had a pancake watch party. Sharon’s husband, Ronnie, made us any kind of pancake we wanted (I had chocolate chip…SO GOOD!), and we all just hung out and cheered on the Bears! I think that is one of the best things about going to a Division 1 school – You have a team that you can actually watch on TV and cheer on even when they’re not playing at home. Of course, it helps when your school’s team is good, but it also gives you a reason to hang out and bond with the people you love.

Football never used to mean much to me, but now it is one of my favorite things about being a Baylor Bear. I have the privilege to go to an amazing school that has a wonderful Christian heritage, great academics, a beautiful campus, friendly students and an awesome football team! It’s hard to find a university with all five of those things, and Baylor definitely beats them all. Sic ‘Em Bears!

Tests, Tastes, Temperatures . . . Oh My!

Posted on October 6, 2014 by alicroom

By Diana Cates

TESTS. It’s that point in the semester where just about every professor decides to give his or her first exam. So as you can imagine, this produces a domino effect that requires many days and nights of studying. For some unknown reason, I thought taking 18 credit hours for my first semester was a brilliant idea! Consequences I’m seeing a month into this semester are:

My view from my favorite study spot at Moody!

1) Moody Library has truly become home sweet home, and I’ve actually started bringing a blanket to stay comfy during those late night hours. There’s also another place in downtown Waco called Dichotomy Coffee! It’s a really cool, low key café with some of the best espresso I have ever tasted . . . well at least since I lived in Italy.

2) When I went to Late Night, I signed up for about oh. . . I would say probably 20 clubs (I get really EXCITED. I can’t help myself! Plus, did I mention, there are more than 290 clubs to choose from! No easy choice). But as of now, I am only officially involved in the Russian Club, a Hall Leadership Team and the Spiritual Committee for U-Parks Community Apartments (It’s awesome living on campus, but I’ll talk more about that at a later time!), an International Studies Honor Society and my work-study job on campus. Add to that my still present military reserve duties and the hours in the day quickly dissipate. This whole paragraph is to say . . . social life = *crickets chirping*.

3) Taking so many hours has unlocked for me the mysteries of my Pandora’s Box! All of my bad habits and negative attributes have reared their ugly heads to stare me down . . . you know what they are: procrastination, horrible eating habits, laziness, distractions (TV, friends, unique campus activities that are really hard to turn down, but you know should because you need to study for that philosophy exam you have next week) and lack of spiritual care. These are just a few of the things I have been confronted with, and with my workload, I have no time to diwdle dawdle (as my Okie dad would say). It is forcing me to face these bad habits for all of their ugliness and take steps to counteract those weaknesses.

Before I began this semester, I set a goal to finish the year with a 4.0 GPA. So far, I’m well on my way . . .

Tina, me and JC eating Beef Cabbage W/Rice

TASTES. My two roommates, Tina and JC, are foreign exchange students from China! They are extremely sweet girls and eager to learn about American culture, and I am super inquisitive to learn how they do things differently in their college town of Chengdu. They have cooked delicious authentic Chinese meals for me, and I got to cook up some authentic Mexican food for them. I’m blessed to know them and have the opportunity to learn about their amazing culture.

Mooncakes from the Autumn Moon Festival! Look them up if you haven’t tried them!

Baylor is hosting an Autumn Moon Festival on October 3, which is a huge, thousand-year-old celebration in China to reflect upon the bounty of the summer harvest. We also attended Loteria last night to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month! Events like these make Baylor such a unique place to be!

TEMPERATURES. Now let’s talk about the recent GLORIOUS weather change. During the school day, I usually have to walk all the way across campus (literally about a mile) wearing my backpack. If you’ve never experienced the Texas sun, it can be brutal! I typically work up a good sweat that becomes embarrassingly evident when I take off my bag, and there is a huge sweat stain on my back. Now, those days are gone! I love this time of year with the changing leaves. I enjoy also pumpkin spice lattes . . . really anything pumpkin flavored.

Speaking of beautiful weather, I have to make a dash for my British Literature class, which we’re holding outside on Fountain Mall today. I’ll post pictures next time!

God Bless and SIC ‘EM BEARS! (UNDEFEATED!!)

Diana

Ways to Combat the Mondays

Posted on September 29, 2014 by alicroom

By Maggie Malone

Mondays are almost like practice days where anything and everything can go wrong before you settle into the groove of the week. College life can get a little crazy sometimes. You name it, and it’s probably happened, from bombing a test to doing a face plant in front of everyone, their mother, their long-lost cousin (twice removed) and their dog.

Beginning the week on a sour note is never a great feeling, but with some faith, trust, pixie dust and maybe a whole lot of Netflix, sometimes the worst of days can be patched up into something wonderful. Here on my fail proof tips on how to combat this sometimes dreaded first day of the week:

1. Napping

While many people discourage the practice, I always find it nice to curl up in bed and catch a few winks. It helps me feel refreshed before I tackle something else. It’s kind of like getting a new start. Naps not only rest the body, but they also rest the mind. This goes perfectly with item number two on this list.

2. Netflix

Ah, that aforementioned famous instrument of procrastination. After a horrible day, I often find comfort in losing myself in the stories and adventures of others. Watch your clock, though. Netflix eats up hours as fast as the Cookie Monster can devour a cookie.

3. Exercise

This especially helps on those don’t-touch-me-or-I’m-going-to-explode occasions. Instead of giving your bewildered roommate a sound tongue lashing, take out that frustration on the Bear Trail that circles the campus, the McLane Student Life Center (We call it the “slick”) or even leave campus altogether to run through the twisting trails at Cameron Park.

4. Friends

Even as a mega introvert, I’ve found that some of the best memories at college happen with the friends I’ve made here. Friends are often one of the best places to turn, as they can offer advice, thoughts, listening ears and shoulders to cry on. Along with plenty of laughter and adventure, of course.

5. Hobbies

Personally, my go-to choices are reading, writing, photography and prayer (but that’s more of a lifestyle than a hobby). On days where I just feel cooped up, I snatch my Canon from its place and explore the campus for new perspectives. It’s not too uncommon to see me chasing squirrels with a camera.

Don’t lose hope yet, friends! Sometimes all you can do is make a huge cup of tea and carry on. That’s OK, though. The end of your day just might be better than the beginning! And tomorrow is a new day. The day after is a new day. The next Monday is a new day. At a crazy wonderful campus like Baylor, who knows what beautiful surprises are around every corner!

Ten Things They Won’t Tell You in a Study Abroad Brochure

Posted on September 19, 2014 by alicroom

By Maria Dillman

After all of the customary orientations and information sessions about studying abroad in the Netherlands, I knew I was getting the opportunity of a lifetime to study in Europe for a whole summer.

Travel across Europe, check.

Take classes at an international university, check.

Get a ton of likes on Instagram pics, check.

Yes, these are the normal benefits, but I didn’t realize how many more I would get to experience. I summed up everything I saw, heard, felt, ate and experienced into a list of things one can’t fully understand until they experience study abroad themselves.

But reading about it is the next best thing. . .

1. It’s fun to get lost in a big city – I loved exploring unknown streets that were made completely of cobblestone and flooded with bikers, but the feeling of finding a familiar landmark or navigating to the desired location is even better. The accomplishment and independence of living in a new place and calling it home is exhilarating.

2. Bikes= Life. They are such a time saver, and everyone uses them. It’s the thing over there. Also, it is quite normal to walk six miles in a day.

3. Meeting the locals offers a new perspective about the cultural gap – They tell you all the insights and secrets about their country that you can’t find in a tourism brochure, whether it be mannerisms, habits, behaviors or attitudes.

4. The language barrier is a humbling experience. It is really frustrating when you can’t read signs that say thing like, “Do not board this train,” or when you can’t order a ham sandwich. You learn to be quiet most of the time. For starters, it doesn’t give away that you’re an American as much. Secondly, it seems like you can soak more in. I wonder what language they’ll speak in heaven…hopefully, I’ll understand them all.

Waiting for a Bus in Austria (Taken on a Disposable Camera)

5. Traveling is so fun. But tiring. And amazing. Public transportation is great to say the least. It was definitely frustrating at first, and I thought I would never be able to figure it out. But then I got the groove of things, and before I knew it, strangers were asking me which train they should board. However, traveling can also be quite awful, like the night train we took to Salzburg. After spending twelve hours on the train, we were sleep deprived, our necks were stiff and the creepy man next to us was starting to smell. But then when we stepped off into the fresh air in this new exciting place, and we knew it was totally worth it. All the troubles were forgotten.

6. Delirium is a thing. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed more. It might have been because I was with great company or that I was so out of my comfort zone and sleep deprived that I laughed uncontrollably at the most trivial things. At any rate, it’s not a bad side effect.

Backpacking in the Black Forest (40 km later…Some of Us Were Still Happy)

7. Places are cool, but people are better. For all the beautiful sights I saw, I learned one very important thing: the people who are with you make the trip worthwhile. I think the best experiences and memories that will stay with me forever are the ones that involved a funny moment or good conversation. Yes, the beautiful places are amazing to see and experience, but if I were alone, I don’t think I could appreciate them as much.

8. How to avoid paying for bathrooms. There’s definitely ways; you just have to find them.

9. Schnitzel and Spatzle and Stroodle and Croissants will be missed in America. The food is just plain different. Also, bread is served at every meal. Just like Buddy the Elf has four main food groups (candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup), Europeans have bread, bread, bread and bread.

10. Life is cool wherever you are…you just have to make the most of it. We need to appreciate what we get, not the things we don’t.

Hiking in Switzerland

Palace on the Brazos

Posted on September 4, 2014 by alicroom

By Laura Teague

Last Thursday, I got to do something I had been dreaming about for the past year: walk across the beautiful pedestrian bridge by the Law School and get a glimpse of McLane Stadium, totally finished and more beautiful than I ever would have imagined.

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To say I was excited would be a complete understatement. I was ECSTATIC. If you were to ask anyone, I am a football fanatic. As soon as our schedule was announced, I had a countdown to the first game on my phone, appropriately titled “The Most Wonderful Time of Year.” While some people believe that’s Christmas, I would argue it’s college football season!

Well, this past weekend absolutely lived up to that prediction, starting with the Tradition’s Rally on Thursday. The first big pep rally of the year is always fun, but having it in the new stadium added a whole new level of bustle and excitement. My roommates and I were lucky enough to get wristbands to be on the field for the rally and Phillip Phillips concert after. There may have been tears walking out onto the field. Don’t judge.

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Then all of the sudden, it was Sunday – GAME DAY! The student section was directly in the sun for the entire first quarter (and the two hours we sat there before the game even began), but it was worth every second! After crushing SMU (all in a days work), we all headed home and crashed. It was a busy weekend, but as one of my professors has been constantly reminding me, being a Baylor student during this cool time in our school’s history is something I will never forget. Who else can say they got to run the line in both Floyd Casey and McLane Stadium? Or got to watch Baylor football not just rebuild, but take control of the Big 12 and college football in general? I am so thankful for these past three seasons, and I can’t wait to see what we are able to accomplish this year!

#SicEm

A Junior Already?

Posted on April 28, 2014 by alicroom

By Torie Abbott

We’ve all heard it before…the graduating senior reminiscing about how quickly college has gone by and the importance of enjoying it all. I definitely remember listening to these people, and as a freshman I remember thinking, “No way. Four years is such a long time!”

Earlier this week, however, as I was preparing for finals and all of the studying that will come with it, I came to a stunning realization…in less than two week, I will be halfway done with college.

How can I already be a junior? As a freshman, everything seemed so far away and everyone seemed so old. But now, I am registering for LSAT prep classes and looking at law schools. I now realize how close I am to being done.

College is not easy. It can be very challenging at times. It can be frustrating. There are moments when you are entirely overwhelmed and times that you are very homesick.

But then, you also have some of the best times of your life. You meet some amazing people, make best friends and go to fun events, all while getting an education. I am saddened to know I am halfway done, and I am left thinking, “Where has the time gone?”

That is what happens though. Each of us moves onto things after college; that is why it is so very important to embrace every moment, have a lot of fun and study as hard as possible. Because two years from now, when my time here is done, those are the things I am going to remember most of all.

Tri Deltas Take Dallas

Posted on April 23, 2014 by alicroom

By Torie Abbott

This past Saturday, the Baylor Tri Delts went to Dallas for a Take-a-Date! First and foremost, a Take-a-Date is when a group plans a date function outside of the Baylor Bubble. The event usually takes all day or at least most of the evening (depending on the event).

For this event, we left Waco around 5 p.m. and headed north on I-35. For me, the bus ride was one of the best parts. It was fun to be able to hang out and talk to my date before the actual date event began. Then, on the ride back, my bus watched Frozen…needless to say, we all had a great time!

We were all super excited and starving when we finally made it to Dallas. For dinner, we all went to Gilley’s, which is a Western saloon-style restaurant that also has a dance floor! We had SUCH a great meal and took tons of pictures, of course! Then, the dancing began and soon enough two-steppin’ took over.

The part of the Take-a-Date that was far different than anything we had done before was the armadillo racing! There were three live armadillos with their keepers at the event that we were allowed to race…well, those who had the nerve to were allowed to race! I was not one of those people.

There was food to be eaten, dancing to be done, armadillos to be raced and fun to be had! Before we knew it, the wonderful night was over. I can honestly say, however, that it was one of the coolest night I have had with my Baylor friends and can’t wait to go back!

Stompfest = EPIC

Posted on April 9, 2014 by alicroom

By Patara Williams

“AYYYYYYY. 1-9-6-9!”

Choreography.

Contagions.

Jumping.

Yelling.

Stepping.

Stompfest.

Each year, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. hosts a phenomenal showcase of Baylor students competitively stepping. This annual event contributes to not only Zeta Phi Beta’s philanthropy, sickle cell anemia, but to that of the winners’ organization as well, in my case…STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS.

…interested?

Preparation

It’s pretty intense. Within my particular organization, the majority of us have ZERO experience with stepping. Ergo, we are paired up with the best of the best steppers as coaches, who are members of a sorority or fraternity within the Divine Nine (these guys really know how to step).

Yep. So we spend hours on top of hours each day learning not only how to step but also how to:

Maintain rhythm
Recognize cues
Perform with confidence
Be aware of our bodies

Alone, none of these tasks seem too monumental, but whooooa! When they are amalgamated…it becomes much more difficult.

Performing

Waco Hall, the place where you’ll more than likely experience chapel, Sing, Freshman Mass Meeting and so much more, is the setting of this event. This venue holds more than 2000 people, so any timidity cannot be tolerated. Once the lights hit the stage, all fear must be stifled. All muscles must have memory. All precision must be insurmountable. Excellence is key. Stepping is about confidence.

The Show

Each year there’s a theme; this year, it’s JukeBox, and our genre is Motown. So, in addition to stepping, students are required to concoct a plot/storyline that parallels the theme. Students pour their hearts and souls into their performances and pray that they yield success.

This is my second performance, and I must say that performing has not only increased my confidence but also given me a stronger sense of accomplishment and persistence.

I hope that you have an opportunity to experience the greatness that is Stompfest, whether watching or stepping.

Sic ‘Em Steppers!

2013-2014 StuFu Steppers | Theme: Michael Jackson | Song: Bad

Destin Bound

Posted on March 26, 2014 by alicroom

By Emily Woodby

This past week was Spring Break, and it felt like everyone got out of Waco as fast as they could. With so many tests and projects and the end of the semester just around the corner, it was the perfect time for a little getaway! With that in mind, I went to Destin, Florida, with 11 other girls for a little rest and relaxation. In my mind, this was a huge deal because growing up, I was never lucky enough to get to go on a trip with my friends. I’m not saying that my family vacations weren’t fun (because the Woodby clan is a blast to be around), but there’s something so cool about being in a different city with just friends – it makes you feel pretty grown up!

We all stayed in my hometown the first night and packed up the car. Then bright and early the next morning, we loaded up and took off on the 12 hour drive to Florida. There were many breaks for coffee and Red Bull and countless sing-alongs to keep everyone awake. It was quite the journey to say the least. Finally, we reached our destination and unloaded our two cars full of luggage (girls don’t really know how to pack lightly). Then, I just took a deep breath because I was finally out of the car!

The week was so fun, just hanging out with friends and desperately trying to get a tan. Now school is back in session, the tests are still scheduled, and the sun tan that I did get is already long gone. On the bright side I can just look at a picture and pretend for a few moments that I’m still at the beach and never left!

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