Yours truly reading Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five" down by the Genesee river

My community bike resting in the trees

On April 10th the weather was absolutely beautiful so I took one one of the bike from Houghton’s Community Bike program and road past the field of dreams towards the Genesee.

The stream that runs parallel to the mighty Genesee

On the way over the Genesee I went through the beautiful forest and passed a stream with a beaver dam. The water was a beautiful, clean shade of blue and everything smelled alive. It was excellent.

The fallen trees used as bridges accross the stream

Those fallen trees there are where my first picture was taken. If you’re not interested in crossing then it’s a nice place to, as I did, sit and read a book or dip your feet in the water. It’s very relaxing after a long week of schoolwork.

The view from the path to the beach, visible in the middle.

Finally I reached the river and, after passing this helpful sign, got down to the beach. You can see our neighbors across the river.

I hope you enjoyed joining me on a photographic trip down to the Genesee river! If you’re an incoming freshman or transfer this coming year I hope you can make the trip yourself soon. Also, if you happen to be on campus don’t hesitate to introduce yourself. I know I’m looking forward to a great year next year and I hope you are too. Until then this is my official sign off.

Yours truly,
Chris

With three of my beautiful housemates (with a photo taken by Olivia, another sweet housemate of mine)

Days, weeks, & years previous: Went to classes, studied abroad, wrote lots of papers, learned different languages, went on lots of adventures.

Monday, May 9^th: Took final-final-exam

Tuesday, May 10^th:  Turned in Senior Seminar Project

Wednesday, May 11^th: DONE!

Truthfully, I haven’t fully realized that I am indeed—totally and completely—done with my undergraduate degree here at Houghton! It’s bittersweet to think about; I’m happy and excited to be moving on to new things, and I will also miss the my sweet friends and professors and all of the good memories I have in this place.

While the end was busy, it finished well, and my first few days of summer have now been filled with mini golfing, photographs, sunshine, meals with friends, coffee dates, pulling out my Arabic books and my first summer reading. Right after graduation I will be going home for a week, to a wedding in Chicago, back home for a few days, and then I am moving out to California to start graduate school in June (my masters degree in Education)!

To those who are just beginning this journey—Welcome! I wouldn’t trade the years that I’ve had here at Houghton for anything, and I pray that this also turns out to be a time of growth and blessing for those entering this next fall.

Don’t stress too much, invest in friendships, get to know your professors, travel as much as possible, and don’t be afraid to take classes in all different disciples. Probably one of the only things I would have done differently was to take an art class or two. More than anything else, remember to cherish these moments. Once you start college, time really does speed up! And it will go by surprisingly fast, I promise.

And to those who are continuing on or graduating with me—thank you for everything, friends. I’ll see you again soon.

-Kaitlin

On my way... =)

Hello folks! So, here I am, typing out what will be my final blog post at Houghton College. This is it! I just got back to my room from having taken my final final! haha Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, I just completed the last exam of my undergrad career here at Houghton and it is bittersweet, let me tell you. I have been looking back at this semester with tears in my eyes about the Musical I did, the College Choir Tour that I went on, the trip home for a concert, my backpacking expedition into Scotland with my brother, and of course, Baccalaureate and Senior Spot just around the corner. It has been an absolutely tremendous ride and I can honestly say that I would never trade a single moment for anything else.

The people that I’ve met here, the activities that I’ve gotten the opportunity to participate in, the courses I’ve learned, the professors who’ve taught me; the list goes on. I am SO excited for each and every one of you newcomers to experience Houghton for yourselves. My experience was different from my brothers, just like theirs’ was different from their friends and that list goes on as well. You’ve got to be sure to make Houghton an experience and a time for yourself.  Nobody, and I mean NOBODY can tell you how to live while you’re in college. The only exception to that is Christ himself. Try new activities, meet new people, take new classes; take advantage of the time in front of you to learn, grow and experience what the Lord has in store for you on this campus. God will show you where he needs you and how he wants to use you. For some of you, it will be here, during your 4 years. For others (like myself) it may be longer or later. Some of you may even know exactly where your heart lies and you’ve been hearing God speak to you for quite some time now.

I can say, being on the brink of graduation, that I have very little advice for incoming college students, other than the sentiment to allow your eyes to be opened to the world around you. You’ll meet new people who believe different things, and take part in different activities and think differently than you. THAT’S OKAY! =) Its a good thing. Let your world be blown wide open to witness the power of God in the lives of other people. And that folks is my farewell. I say welcome and goodbye in the same manner…enjoy yourselves. God is the author of our salvation and our joy. He has presented you with this irreplaceable opportunity to attend college. Take it! Run with it! Let God be your tourguide!!! HE WANTS TO! And with that I say Godspeed and God bless!!!

I suppose you might want the inside scoop of what to expect from a real, live student. Look no further than me, Lia!

Let me begin by saying that your freshman year is the year to figure things out. Don’t be shy about joining clubs and going to Campus Activities Board events or joining a new group for lunch every day or trying a new church every Sunday. It is the time for you to find your niche. You will have the following three years to develop and grow with the people and in the environment where you find that niche. I didn’t do as much experimenting and I wish that I had! There will be both an activities and church fair in the first couple weeks of school-GO! Those are great times to get plugged in and find out more information!

Allow me to also suggest a few things you might not want to leave home without:

-Shower shoes! 2 of my friends got athlete’s foot our freshman year but haven’t gotten it since they purchased inexpensive flip-flops to wear in the shower.

-Post it notes and a planner! You’ll be busy, and won’t want to forget a thing so either purchase a Houghton College planner or pick one up at Staples or Office Depot or Target! You won’t regret it.

-Power strip! Practical, yes, but you have more things to plug in than you think…

-Things that are YOU. Bring pictures and your blankie and your favorite unique (yet oh so comfortable) Christmas sweater. These things will make you unique and will remind you of home when the going gets tough.

It’s been SUCH a pleasure blogging for you all this year! I’ve really enjoyed capturing Houghton life for all of you and I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing a glimpse. See you in the fall!! Any questions/comments, leave below or e-mail me at lia.thomassian13@houghton.edu!

Finals are still going on until Tuesday morning and the dorms close on Wednesday for the summer!

Has the year gone by as quickly for you as it has for me? It FLEW by for me! What a busy and fun year full of friends and learning and growing here at Houghton College. I can’t wait for the next one!

Me after I just finished the race & got back to my room

This afternoon was Houghtonpalooza (another annual Houghton College event). This one features an afternoon of hot dogs and hamburgers and band performances that takes place down on the lawn at the Townhouses and Flats. There were 18 bands over the eight hour span (12pm-8pm). Some art students were there screen-printing t-shirts for $5.

All in all, a fun day! Pictures to come!

Buffalo Skyline

This time of year, I’m reminded of the verse in Psalm that says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). It is a good reminder for this time of year because students have many demands in front of them with extra-curriculars, academics, figuring out summer plans, etc…and through it all, God is present and always here for us. How great to serve and be in a relationship with that kind of a God!

I am so encouraged by this verse and also challenged to remember that I am primarily on Earth to spread the news of Christ’s birth and death and resurrection and of His love and that while I can glorify him through my studies here at Houghton College, it is not my primary responsibility while I am on Earth.

I love that Houghton is a place where we are encouraging each other in Christ-it is such a wonderful community to be a part of! What a blessing to be in a place such as this~such a unique environment, but perfect for studying and learning and growing.

Sorry I haven’t blogged in a while…things get pretty busy here at Houghton College!

Everyone just returned to campus yesterday after our second break of this semester which included Easter. It was so nice to be home in New Hampshire with my family! Let me update you via pictures on things that have been going on around here…

My cocker spaniel Zoe and I

My Mom & I at Easter

We had an RA Fiesta! Pictured: Becca Lang ('13) and Becca Booth ('13), RA's in Lambein Hall

My taco @ the RA Fiesta-yum! Gabe Jacobsen (Director of Residence Life & Housing) made all of the ingredients by hand! Incredible!

Miles ('13) won the "jackpot egg" at the Lambein Easter egg hunt!

Ashley Whitney ('11) found the most eggs at the Lambein Easter egg hunt!

The view outside of my 2nd floor Lambein room-sunshine!

Our trail towards the top...

Hello everyone! So, as that time draws near for me to say goodbye and graduate, I’ve been looking back at the many blessings that Our Father has bestowed upon us. One such blessing showed up within the last week actually, and came in the form of a backpacking trip into the Scottish Highlands with my younger brother. Jimmy, as he’s known in the family, wrapped up his last week in the London Honors Program and I was blessed with enough money and time to take him North into Scotland for a little one-on-one time!

We began with a three day tour of Stirling, seeing is castle, the Church of the Holyrude, the William Wallace monument and doing an all day hike into some of the local hills. Here are some pictures of the day we went hiking!

Beautiful mountain sides....

After visiting the battlefield of Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce routed the English, we hopped on a train to Edinburgh. There we got the chance to see the Edinburgh castle, see the Palace of the Holyrood and hike right outside the city, up to the Seat of Arthur! Finally we took a trip to the Edinburgh dungeon and saw St. Giles Cathedral, a church that had been constructed in the mid 1400s. So, safe to say that the trip was absolutely INCREDIBLE. It was otherworldly, beautiful, stunning, interesting, and engaging. I have done some traveling around England and Rome, but not that far north into the Celtic Country of Scotland and Ireland.

The trip was also quite unique in that it came as I am finishing my time here at Houghton. With classes for Tuesday being over, I have but 4 more days of my undergraduate career to complete, a few exams and a stage to traverse in order to receive my diploma. Leaving the United States was a tremendous experience because it helped to further open my eyes to the world around me, and the people that I could meet. Its been intimidating and somewhat nerve racking…dwelling on what will happen this summer and the years to come. As I am normally a very happy go lucky guy, its easy for me to be excited about those prospects. But, that doesn’t necessarily change the fact that since I’m standing on the brink…my heart is POUNDING. I am very grateful to have been able to get out and see some new part of the world. It seemed like a coming attracting to what God has in store for me in the next few months. A comforting thought I think…

Peace be with you all, and until next time….Godbless.

sooooooo EPIC!!!

So last week we did our long village homestay for 10 days, which is the most intense part of the semester!  All of us students went into a small village near Mbeya and stayed with families from a church in the Safwa tribe.  Most people were in pairs, and there were a couple of groups of 3, but my friend Bethany Stobbe and I each did solos.  I think the solo experience, while making the experience much more intense and even overwhelming at times, was way worth the initial uncomfortability, and I feel like I have grown and learned more during this homestay about these people and myself and a totally completely unique and isolated from my own style of life than I ever could have imagined under different circumstances.  I did everything with my Mama and Baba, who took me in as a child and dealt with my limited language and ignorance to cultural norms and taught me the style of life in their small village.  I woke up at 7:00 am on a daily basis and was exhausted by 10:00 pm (when I would have to journal in bed ), chopping wood, cooking ugali, kande, corn, beans, vibama, and numerous other things, slaughtering a chicken and eating all of its contents (including the heart and stomach, which gave me the nickname “Elianyondo” which means “stomach” in KiSafwa…the people LOVED it), playing soccer against beastly African teams of young boys, hiking 4 hours to the top of Mt. Mbeya and drinking chai and eating chips mayae at the top, knoking avacadoes out of trees (which we ate at EVERY meal), dancing and singing AFrican style, teaching card games and “Hannah anasema” (like simon says) to the kids, hoeing fields and picking beans, and sooooo much more.  Mainly, just visiting, talking with people, and learning their life and values.

After this intense but amazing homestay (with a range of good and bad experiences from all different people) and gift giving, we went down to Lake Milawe for a few days to relax and get back into our own comfortable state and more American culture.  We swam, explored the small town nearby, crossed the lake in long canoes to a small village that made famous pottery, and snorkled.  Now we are back on campus for only 2 days (writing 2 essays) before we are off again to coffee plantations in Mafindi for 3 more days of relaxation and fun.  Then, back to campus for a day and we are all off to Dar es Salaam and to our various destinations and the program is over!  AHH!  Now is the time just to take it all in, process what I have learned and am continuing to learn, and make the most of my time in this amazing country.  It is probably the last time I will get to use internet.  I will be staying in Dar es Salaam for a week and then going to Zambia to stay with a missionary couple I know for a week, and a large group of students will be heading across to the island of Zanzibar for a week or so.  Exciting times!  I thank God greatly for the amazing growing and learning experience this has been for us all, as well as a time of fellowship and bonding for us students with one another and the people of Tanzania.  Tomorrow, my friend Valerie and I will be going to the village to say some last goodbyes to the good family friends we have made there.  Peace and blessing to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  His name be praised in all the world!!