Hey friends!

I hope that everyone had an amazing Christmas and and even more amazing New Years!
I hope that it was one filled with family and friends and loved ones.
I know my certainly was and I couldn't of asked for more.

It was so wonderful to go home. My beloved Rhode Island. My home. Thirty minutes to the coast, 15 minutes to three malls (I KNOW!), 10 minutes to my church family, a Dunkin Donuts on almost every block (at least it feels that way!) and three hours to the city that never sleeps: the BIG APPLE. Why wouldn't you want to live there?

Anyway, theres my VisitRI advertisement for the day I guess! No, but seriously if you ever get to make it to the east coast and good old New England make sure you visit the smallest state in the union because it will be OH SO WORTH IT.

You know what else would be worth it? Visiting Harding! And I'm not just saying that well because this is a Harding Blog but I most sincerly mean that with every fiber in me. Whenever I go home I always get those quizzical looks from strangers and friends that I talk to Harding/Arkansas about. It's the usual: "Arkansas?!?! That's a little far from home! What are you doing there?" Or "A Christian school, with like a lot of rules-- Rosa, that's like living at home or something, WHY would you want to do that?"

You see, the thing is that they just don't get it. I'm getting to explore the world in an environment that I embraces the curious mind. At Harding, I've been CHALLENGED, I've been asked questions about my faith, my life, my beliefs-- this is what the college experience should be like, I'm convinced. I always had dreams of round table discussions of "You know, what WAS God thinking when he did this..." or "What exactly would you consider art?"... you know those outside-the-box type questions no one really thinks about in highschool, well, because its highschool and i was mainly concerned if the love of my life was going to ask me to prom or not. But, at Harding I have finally come to that stage of life where coffee induced conversations about art and God and life actually happen. I'm not saying that that's all that we do, because that would be a lie. But it's nice that it happens. Especially because I've talked to my friends who go to state schools and it just seems like too much revolves around partying. And even they feel like something is missing. They might not admit it now, but I know these people, went to school with them nearly my entire life and when they call to complain about how they feel something just isn't right in their lives I could easily tell them in one simple sentence: "yea, you need to know that you're living for something more." More than drinking, relationships and money. The people at Harding have morals. And they allow you room to grow spiritually. In the real world, not everyone embraces the idea of faith. Even if someone tells you that they believe in God and go to church services, as soon as that prayer is over or that service ends they live a life completely contrary to even what they say they believe in. Not that people don't mistakes here, because they do, everyday. But for the most part it's nice to finally be in a place where going to bed at a decent hour on saturday night because you have church in the morning doesn't make the other person cringe. Does any of this make any sense? I feel like I lost track of what I was trying to say.

Anywho, ok so I just noticed that someone wrote a comment on one of my blog entries and I wanted to answer their question. Here we go, here's the comment:

"so i was just wondering if everyone at your school is really into being a christian. I mean, is it ok if someone who doesn't go to church every sunday applies there? or will they not fit in? By the way, I love your entries."

First, thank you for loving my entries! I really appreciate it!
Now, for the really important stuff: Is everyone at Harding really into being a christian?
well... The honest to answer to this is yes and no. Harding is a christian school, so therefore a large percentage are christian students. Practicing christian students, who feel comfortable with proclaiming their christianity. But the "no" portion of this answer has to be that though this is the case I have to admit that there are plenty of people who come to Harding without being christians or even knowing that it is a christian institution. But in my opinion it doesn't make that much of a difference because they get the same education as me and I still call many of these people my friends. The thing is that they choose not to go to church services on sunday mornings, which is fine. You can definately and most certainly SHOULD apply. I think Harding should get a little diversity in here. And i love meeting people who don't exactly agree with what I believe, it brings some adventure to life. Plus, Harding isn't just about attending church services! They offer some really amazing programs and I truly feel like my professors are some of the wisest, most experienced people I have ever encountered! I mean how often do you meet people who lived nearly a decade living in West Africa or spent years traveling the world teaching english to people? Not only the professors even! I have friends from all over the world! I think thats neat don't you? But I think the best piece of advice I can give you is: Just come visit. Check it out for yourself. That's the only real way you can see how you would feel. I could talk to you all day about Harding but it will never beat the experience of you checking it out for yourself. And that way you can meet the amazing people that make this place what it is. Amazing people like Logan Light, admissions counselor and dear friend. You see Logan? I gave you a shout out!

Anywho, I must leave now dear friends. Time to do homework and run a few errands and then get ready for the weekend! YAY. I can't believe the semester has just started and it's already FRIDAY! Tell me if I made sense, and if you have any further questons please ASK! I made a resolution to keep this here blog up better, so I promise to answer any and all questions in a timely manner from now on. And if you want to ask me privately I'm ready and willling! Just email me: rcolon@harding.edu

Thanks and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosa

Posted by HardingRosa on Friday, January 19, 2007 at 2:31 PM | Permalink