Homecoming!

Homecoming weekend was just a week ago from today and this was probably my favorite one of the 4 I've been here for. Being a senior probably made me enjoy it more for sure but there were a bunch of reasons why it was more incredible this year than other years too!

I think I mentioned in my last post that I had gotten nominated to be on the Homecoming Court for this year so that added a lot to my enjoyment of the week.

On Friday last week, we had the 2013 Homecoming Variety Show and  Coronation where they honor those on the court and then reveal the winner out of the seniors who win "king" and "queen." My parents came to the show to see me and took some pictures. (The spotlights were so insanely bright it was really hard to see!)

 Me and my walking partner and fellow senior, Hayley, as we were being introduced.

 The whole court! Freshman prince/princess, sophomore, junior, and then the 3 senior nominees.

Then we got to ride on the rotating stage as it turned around and the variety show started. (by the way, being on the rotating stage was one of our favorite parts of being on the court. A lot of people have that on their Loma bucket list and we got to do it!) It’s so cool that there have been so many talented people to come through Point Loma. From guitarists, to singers, and overall great people, Point Loma has exported a lot of talent!

So anyway, after the variety show, the court got to ride the stage around one more time! We danced as it spun and that was a blast. So then they introduced the 2012 (last year’s) Homecoming King and Queen because they were going to crown the 2013 (this year’s) King and Queen after the results were revealed. But before the results could be revealed, they got the 1983 (30 year’s ago!) Homecoming King and Queen to bring out the envelope!

They announced the king first.

“Your 2013 Homecoming King is… Orin Mozon!” (that’s me just in case you didn’t know who was writing this).

How exciting! It was a pretty surreal experience to win something like this for me. I was nominated to be on the court the last couple years but never made it past the questionnaire part. And then, my senior year, they let me in and I won! I was pretty excited!

 

And then the moment everyone was really waiting for, the Homecoming Queen! And it just so happened to be my walking partner, Hayley! I was super stoked about that too!

After last year’s royalty crowned us, they played that one song that goes “Celebrate good times come on doo doo doo do do do do doo.” We had rehearsed walking out formally, but when that song came on, Hayley and I decided to dance our way out so that was exciting too.

This was definitely an experience I’ll always remember.

Then to top it off, the next day, both PLNU men's and women's basketball won the homecoming game. The men's game went into overtime and I think it was the loudest game I've ever heard in the gym. The students here rock.

Man, I love my school. I'm so blessed to be here.

That is all.

Senior Year: Month 2

This year has been absolutely amazing. I wish I could accurately and briefly describe how great things are going here at Loma. From meeting new people, to deepening relationships I've already had here over the years, I am constantly reminded that I am in the right place. I never want to leave! Seriously. I have to find a way to not leave. Maybe I'll fail just one class so I have to stay an extra year... Parents probably wouldn't be happy about that though...

Well, what to say. In the last month from my last blog up to this, quite a lot has happened I suppose! Life has been great overall and I'm really thankful for that.

A cool thing about social media is that as you post things, they save so you can look back on the past and see what happened that was social media worthy and then track what you've been up to. So that's what I did. Here's some of the things that have happened within the last month!

• Stayed up all night studying for a music history test
• Burrito run for a study break
• Stayed up all night two days after that for a psychology test
• Had Lucky Puffs (one of the many Caf creations that keep the Caf exciting)
• 1am McDonald’s run
• Burrito run
• Multiple jam sessions with friends who are way better musicians than I am
• Went to a spoken word event in North Park
• Real talk with good dudes
• Got persuaded to drive freshmen girls that live in my dorm to a Jason Aldean concert even though I really don’t like country
• Actually had fun at that concert
• Packed 12 freshmen in my car that seats 5

• Movie night by myself all night to help me stay awake and finish mounds of homework
• Discovered that my social psychology professor is super cool and frequently browses reddit
• Fall break and Fall Festival at Point Loma (PUMPKINS EVERYWHERE)

 

• Tried my first ever pumpkin spice latte and really liked it
• Had another one the next day
• Heard that President Obama is apparently releasing a rap album this year (should probably be called The Black House

• Led worship at the Time Out service and it was awesome
• Burrito run
• Went to an ASB event on Halloween night that was a ton of fun (see string of pictures from the photo booth below)

• Started this thing called The Burning Hearts Challenge that a lot of people have been doing on campus
•  Loma rainbow

• Became obsessed with this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpu0TIXzI1w
• Late night In-N-Out run
• Went to LA for the first time and saw a really amazing gospel choir competition/gospel concert
• Loma unicorn

• Got nominated for homecoming and made it in to the top 3 so I’ll be on homecoming court later this month!
• Led worship in chapel yesterday and a had a ton of fun. It was a preview day too so there were a lot of students and parents on campus that had never been on campus before which added to the excitement
• Burrito run
• Hung out in the Caf for 3 and a half hours because I just love the Caf so much and there is awesome food and so many great people to hang out with
• Got a yellow card from the stands at the girls’ volleyball game for yelling at the ref. Oops.

As you can see, there are tons of things happening in my life and on campus (mostly burrito runs). This is only a glimpse!

I’m loving life and am so blessed to be where I am.

That is all.

SUPER LATE FIRST BLOG OF THE YEAR BLOG

Well, I'm a month into my senior year of college here at PLNU. It's been an incredible month. The best month of school I've ever been a part of. Coming off the greatest summer I've ever had, this year has been far greater than what I expected. I'm a season of joy and excitement right now in my life and I want to live here as long as the Lord will allow.

A lot has happened in a month here but I will try to cover a few major things briefly.

First, NSO. New Student Orientation. Always a good time welcoming in the new class of freshmen and transfers. It is seriously such a joy to get pumped about new people coming to the school and trying to help them be pumped up as well. I met so many of the incoming freshmen and transfers (even if I couldn't remember their names) and it was so much fun. I was so glad I got to be a part of it.

And then school started. And it started off so great. The first day of school I only had 2 classes so that's definitely nice. And then after that I got to hang out with a couple good friends and talk about what God had been doing in our lives and then pray together. That's always a good time.

I got to lead worship at the first Time Out service of the year later that night too and it was so so SO much fun. It was really cool for me because everyone was excited to be back and be together again so energy was high and it seemed like people really enjoyed worshiping together as a Point Loma community again.

The night day though, I had a bit of a senior crisis after sitting in a Social Psychology class. It was SO great. And it made me doubt why I had been a music major this whole time. But after thinking about it and talking about it for a while with some friends, I was able to talk myself down a little bit, realize I couldn't just change my major senior year, and then figured out a different way to resolve my crisis. I knew when I came here that I was supposed to be in the major I'm in, but I had gotten tired of learning the same thing. So having a psych class really opened my eyes to how fun learning can be when you're learning things that are interesting to you. I'm a music major, but I'm not that into classical music, which is a big part of what the music department deals with. I'm a people person, which is a HUGE part of what psychology deals with. So I felt at home because we'd be talking about people. So I ended up moving my schedule around so that I could take an Abnormal Psychology class and have 2 psych classes this semester. That's been going great; I look forward to going to class and it's awesome.

On another note, I'm living in a freshman dorm this year (again) and I love it. These freshmen are so excited about being at Point Loma and their excitement makes me realize how blessed I've been to be here the last few years. It's been such an experience meeting them and living with them. One word of advice I have after seeing the differences between my friends that I have that are seniors and the new friends I've been making that are freshmen is to never lose your excitement. About school, about God, about life. There's always so much enjoyment to be gained from life and especially being at Point Loma.

That leads to my final thing I wanted to write about. There has been so much excitement and stuff all over campus this year. God has been doing a lot of things in students lives (as He always does) and so many people are seeing how He's working and growing so much in their faiths and in their relationships with each other. I wish I could share all the stories I've been hearing about and seeing, but there's far too many and I know I haven't even begun to hear them all.

So to summarize, I'm so excited to be here at Point Loma for year 4. I don't ever want to leave.

That is all.

Here's My Heart

Hey so remember that one time I said I was recording some music that I had written. Well, I did. And I posted it. So... these are some songs that the Lord has placed in me over the past 3 and a half years. I'm really nervous about sharing them, but here they are anyway. It's not perfect sounding, but here's my heart, if I were to put it in to music.

A lot of this was written during my journey at Point Loma, so that's why it's relevant to this blog.

That is all.

So I was hanging out on the cliffs yesterday

And this happened.


When you're not hurting yourself, getting dirty, and falling, the cliffs are a great place to explore and you have access to them basically right on Loma's campus!

That is all.

Summer is here!

 

"Now to Him who is able to do far more than all we ask or imagine..." –Ephesians 3:20

This verse came to life in a new way in my life in the last two weeks.

A couple weekends ago, I was hit with the reality of how close the end of the school year and summer were and I felt extremely unready to be leaving Point Loma after my junior year. So through prayer and talking with my mom I decided to see if there was any way that I could stay on campus over summer. I had this strong sense that this wasn't just my own idea but that maybe God was trying to show me something.

So on the Monday before finals week, I spent the afternoon after classes going all over campus to the different departments like OSV (Office of Strength and Vocation), Public Safety, the department of theology and Christian ministry, the library, Student Development, etc. Basically I went EVERYWHERE I could think of. It was insane. None of those places had any jobs left so I started to get really discouraged and wanted to give up. But I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe I was being led by more than my own thoughts. So I thought of the Admissions Office and a friend I have that works in there and went over there to ask. I knew it was quite late to try to get a job for the summer because most departments hired students for summer employment weeks ago. So the fact that I was trying to find one this last minute seemed absurd and I knew it would take a miracle if it was going to happen. But that’s exactly what I was hoping for!

I went in to the Admissions office and asked if there was possibly anything they had available. They told me that they had 3 summer intern positions which were all filled until recently. I later found out that three days before I came in, someone who had the job dropped out, leaving one open spot. However, when I went in on Monday, there was someone else coming in later that day to try to fill that spot but the oh so friendly people in Admissions told me that if the spot was still open by tomorrow, they would let me know.

I left the office and sent a couple emails to other departments and as soon as I closed my laptop, I got a text asking me if I wanted to go lead worship in in late May/early June in HAWAII. WHAT. That was insane. I've never been to Hawaii before, I've never flown overseas before, I don't even like planes, but I get asked to go to Hawaii! I didn't immediately accept that offer though because I had just spent all day asking for things to do on campus and I didn't want to throw away all the work I did and people I contacted. So I decided it would be best to wait to see if I heard back from anyone.

And then, the next day, I get an email from Admissions, saying that they had a tour guide/receptionist position open for the summer! Blew my mind! And then I thought about the fact that I was also asked to lead worship in Hawaii. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do both but I went in to the Admissions Office that day, told them about that opportunity, and they said that it could probably work out to do both. By Thursday, we figured out that I would be able to work on campus, live on campus, AND go to Hawaii to lead worship with PLNU's worship ministries Summer Ministry Team (SMT) program.

Like in that verse in Ephesians at the beginning of this post, God did far more than I asked for and way more than I ever imagined. Before, I wanted maybe to live on campus and work. Now, I get to live on campus, be paid to work in the Admissions office with GREAT people – some of the nicest and most helpful, and fun people I've met – AND go to Hawaii at the end of the month. On top of all that, I still get to go lead worship at a camp in Big Bear too in July! THIS IS SO EXCITING.

I started work this week and it's been absolutely delightful. Getting to work with the Admissions staff and talk to incoming students as well as prospective students is so great. I've talked to some students who are coming here in the fall and it's really exciting to hear their names before seeing them next year. I'm super excited and looking forward to this summer working here, talking to people, going to Hawaii, and enjoying to be on Loma's beautiful campus for 4 extra months :)

Feel free to call the Admissions Office some time and say hello, especially if you'll be coming to Loma in the fall! I'll be working the front desk most of the day :)

"Now to Him who is able to do far more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." –Ephesians 3:20-21


p.s. to add on to the greatness of the last couple weeks, yesterday I finally got a car again! So grateful for all that God is doing in my life right now. He's doing so much more than I imagined!

 

That is all.

IT'S FINALS WEEK

I don't want to study anymore. I don't want to work on projects or papers anymore. But yet, here I am. I <3 College!

That is all.

Masquerade!

Oh! I almost forgot to mention it!

This year for the first time, Point Loma ASB put on a Mardi Gras Masquerade dance on a boat! It was awesome! Here's just a few pictures that I found of the event! I'm not a big picture person so I didn't personally take too many...

 This is me and my roommate for next year before we left for the dance!

Me!

Other people I know!

If you're ever wanting to see pictures of events that have been happening on campus, check out PLNU Week in Pictures! There's more pictures from this event on the page too (March 22)!

That is all.

Something That Excites Me

First of all,

I apologize for my inconsistency in updating this blog. A couple weeks ago, my computer's hard drive crashed so all the stuff I kept on it for here was gone so I couldn't really post during that time. But I got it repaired and now it's working again (hopefully it stays this way)! Haha I've had a difficult time this year with things breaking! 

As a general update on what's going on: It's the last month of school. All the seniors are talking about graduation and it's really sad. Some of my closest friends are seniors. And it's crazy to imagine that next school year, I'll be in their place as seniors. I don't want to think about it. I'm having too much fun! I have to constantly remind myself to live in this moment all the time and enjoy myself while I'm here. But sometimes it's hard to enjoy myself when the last month of school is when all the projects have to be done, all the papers have to be written, and on top of that having to still be preparing music for chapel services (that's a fun break from school work though)! Needless to say, there are a lot of things I have to do in the upcoming weeks, but I'm excited that I have the opportunity for them.

This year has been wonderful. I don't want it to end. I love Point Loma.

Now, on to what excites me. SO MANY PREVIEW STUDENTS. Over the last few weeks, there have been so many preview students on campus visiting for the first time. It's exciting because I know that some of them are going to be my schoolmates next year! Yay new friends! I've met a couple of them the last couple weeks and I'm looking forward to meeting more. 

Funny story, I'll actually be living in a freshman dorm again next year so I'll get to live with some of the students, maybe even some of you who are reading this! I'll be living in Klassen Hall with an RA. That's weird in itself because all the freshman dorms are going to have both guys and girls in them (obviously still separated into different halls) so it's weird to think of there being Klassen boys, and Nease boys. But I'm sure it will be fun!

So that's all for now. Until next time, whenever that may be... :)

That is all.

PLNU Harlem Shake

If you needed any more motivation to come to Point Loma.

#lifeatthenaz

 

That is all.

The Spirit of PLNU

Found this little gem the other day.
The Spirit of PLNU. Disclaimer: this is not a current video of Loma.

Enjoy.

Shameless Plug

I recorded a couple of things I did on my computer a while ago and posted them to a site called Bandcamp. They're some rewrites I did of popular songs to make them about Jesus!

http://orin.bandcamp.com/

You can listen if you want!

I've been recording some more stuff that I'll post there later just in case any one cares! I'm calling it an album just because I don't know what else to call it!

No Car

Here's a little snippit of my thought life this week.

Life without a car makes me feel like a freshman again. I have to ask people for rides, take the train to get back home and generally be dependent on other people. Although it's frustrating at times, I've also learned that it's not that bad. The Loma community is full of people who really love each other and are willing to help each other when they have need. The beauty of the body of Christ is that we have a call to love each other and to give to each other when we need each other. Lately I've been in need of transportation, and because of the community I have at Point Loma, though it sometimes is difficult, I've always been able to get around.

So, if you're an incoming freshman, know that coming here and not being able to have a car is totally going to be okay. The older friends that you'll make here have all been through the same thing and will understand when you need to get somewhere and there's always someone who can help!

Also, if I do have any incoming freshman that read this thing, I'd love to hear from you before you get to campus next semester! Leave a comment, tweet at me, Facebook me, or something! I'd love to get to know you!

Until next time!

That is all.

Life

It's been really hard for me to form thoughts into words this semester, hence the lack of posts thus far in 2013. And even though I am now finally putting a few of my thoughts to words, I still am unable to really show just how I've been feeling and doing since being back after Christmas Break. But here's what I can offer with the scattered thoughts I have.

There have been some pretty crazy things going on in my life since being back this semester, some good, some hard. I really do enjoy my class schedule even though I've got some pretty tough classes (General Ed classes are no joke people!). I'm taking a World History class, a New Testament class (when you take it, take it with Bob Smith! He's the greatest. I've had him for both Old and New Testament), a volleyball class (ton of fun!), and then a couple music classes that require a good amount of work.

But amidst adjusting to the new semester's schedule, some pretty big stuff happened that has kinda rattled me. A couple Tuesdays ago (Jan 15), I got in a pretty big car accident as I was on my way from school to Oceanside. Long story short, I was on the 5 freeway going with the flow of traffic, and then traffic started to go from normal speed to dead stop traffic pretty suddenly. Some cars had already turned off to the side of the road to avoid running into the cars in front of them but by the time I registered what was going on, it was too late for me. I hit the car in front of me really hard and they hit the car in front of them. Without going into more details than are necessary, the main result of the accident is that my car got crushed on impact and the windshield shattered, but I wasn't really hurt at all. My hand had a tiny cut on it and I bit the inside of my lip I guess when my face hit the air bag.

The aftermath. I wasn't able to get super great pictures because of how cold it was and how shaken up I was.

It's been crazy trying to recall the events leading up to and following the accident. I don't think I blacked out or anything, but nothing is super vivid in my mind other than that God protected me. Right before impact, I remember having the thought that "this could be it." Seconds later, I was looking around, seeing people I didn't know driving up to see if I was okay, and being so surprised that I was. Given how bad the accident was, they were shocked that I was even alive, much less unscathed by the crash. I was shocked too. Because that really could have been it.

But God has more to do in me and through me here in this place. So I'm still here.I've become so much more grateful for this gift of life than I ever have before. Knowing that my life really could have ended in that moment and that it was only by the grace of God that I was able to walk away from the accident has made more appreciative of God's grace and His merciful protection. More than that, being was able to walk away from the accident without any injuries has left me in awe of God's miraculous works. I mean, the only thing that hurts at all now is that a few of my fingers hurt. My car is totaled, but my body is not.

It's still tough to wrap my mind around everything that happened. I've been distracted in school, sometimes unable to be present in conversations, and sometimes I honestly just get sad because I lost my car and don't really have a way of getting another. I'm grateful that I'm okay physically, but I'm still going through a mental as well as spiritual recovery process. I'm grateful for the beauty of the community at Point Loma that is here for me as we go through LIFE together. And what a blessed life we have.

I wish I was able to write more but my thoughts are still seriously so disordered that all I can really think of and all I can really cling to is that I'm alive. I'm alive. I'm alive. I'm alive.

Thank Jesus, I'm alive.

That is all.