Why Being a Resident Assistant is So Time Consuming

FORT WORTH, Texas--Last night I did not sleep. There was a paper due by 8 a.m. and by midnight, I was still not close to being finished. I have been working on the paper for 2 weeks, but when I went into my teachers' office hours, to get her feedback on the final draft of my paper, she kindly informed me that I  was not addressing the prompt correctly.
I had no intention to stay up all night, but it was 5 a.m. before I knew it. Next time I looked at the clock, it was 7 a.m. and I still had to get ready and walk to class. I walked through the door and handed my paper in, complete and on time.
The best, and worst, part about being a Resident Assistant is getting to know all the the freshman. The girls in my hall are fantastic. All of whom I hope to stay friends with next year. The guys that live in my dorm are great too. We are all very close, hang out, laugh and talk. The downside to forming these close relationships is that the freshman are all very comfortable with me. Many come to me for advice-sometimes at 3 a.m.- they stop by my room to say "hi" and end up chatting for an hour. If they do not knock on my door it is because there is a gecko in their room, a light is broken, there is a funny smelling coming from the hallway, and the list goes on. In the past year I have become a exterminator, "counselor", handy man and all around "Mrs. Fix It". If they are not in need of or talking to me then they are all mingling in the hallway.
The positive side to being so close with everyone is that, last night, when I had to "pull an all nighter", 2 of my residents were sitting in the hallway and, at 2 a.m., were more than willing to help me with my paper.
Although being a RA can be a very time consuming job, I would not trade this job for anything different. I truly believe life is about the relationships we form and the people we impact. I hope that I am able to be a positive influence in each of these students' lives; teach them something both as a RA and as their friend because, they are definitely impacting me.

YoungLife

Fort Worth, Texas- September 19, 2011- YoungLife is a Christian organization that gets young high school teens together for an event called "club". Club is located at the YoungLife offices, on Curzon Ave, every Monday nights at 7:27 p.m. Ultimately the goal is to introduce adolescents to living a Young Life that is filled with joy and laughter. YoungLife believes this joy and laughter comes from our hope in something better than ourselves and this world we live in; it comes from Jesus Christ.

YoungLife is all about being silly! The night starts off with an upbeat and contemporary song that everyone knows. For example, "Baby" by Justin Bieber. After the song is over, everyone can participate in the game, then a messy game is played for those who like to bravely volunteer for things, more fun songs and finally a short message. Ultimately, the goal is to bring about smiles and laughter. Getting people to laugh is what causes people to let down their defensive walls, share their hearts and create a sense of community.

If we live our lives without the relationships there is no meaning. We all want to be known by others. So, we form relationships that we may grow together. We are not created to be alone on our journey through life. This is what YoungLife is about: building relationships, community, loving one another and being a positive presence in each other's lives.

IGNITE- TCU "Come As You Are"

Last Monday- September 5, 2011- marked the beginning of Ignite at TCU for the remainder of the school year. As I walked into the gymnasium of the Recreational Center I was in awe to see the amount of students sitting in the bleachers. Little did I know it would grow more crowded within the next ten minutes. Students had to stand off to the side or sit on the floor at the front of the stands. As the night progressed the emotion increased. The ignite worship team is incredible to say the least. The gym shook as the music filled the air. I look around to see hundreds of students on fire for God, lifting their hands-not seeming to notice anyone around them. As people worshipped Christ individually and in their own way, a sense of unity was created among the students. Each person there has-or is pursuing- a love for Christ. It became a common ground between each student in that room.

A young and “hip” man named Matt led the message. He cracked jokes, created laughter, pulled on people’s heart strings and, without even trying, uniting the TCU student body through our common passion about Christ and His word.

The most moving part of the Ignite experience is seeing familiar faces share your same interests. It is the people you pass walking around campus and wonder, “What do they like to do in their free time? What are they involved in?” Ignite is a great organization that encourages students to “Come as You Are”. It is a nonthreatening environment that brings TCU students together to have a good time with their peers and simply be. It is an escape from the realities of life. It is just one of the many elements that make the TCU spirit and student body that much stronger because we are all here-going through a portion of our life’s journey- together.

TCU- 48 v. Baylor- 50

Last Friday- September 2, 2011- the TCU Horned Frogs lost to the Baylor Bears. It was a close game from beginning to end. By the end of the third quarter the Frogs were down 47-23. Baylor QB, Robert Griffin, completed five touchdown passes plowing through the TCU Defense. But, known for being a second half team, Coach Patterson and the Frogs came back. In the fourth quarter, the Horned Frogs scored 25 points. Casey Pachall led the Frogs to three straight touchdown drives all ending in touchdown receptions. On the first two touchdown drives, TCU went for the two-point conversion; both of which were completed. On their third drive and touchdown completion they, again, went for the two-point conversion but failed. This would have tied the game, 47-47. TCU kicker Ross Evans went for the 27 yd field goal and missed.  Baylor took possession of the ball, drove it down the field where kicker Aaron Jones made a 37 yd field goal making the final score 50-48, Baylor. It is said that if the Frogs had won, the game would have been considered possibly one of the greatest comeback in college football history. 

TCU v. Baylor- Friday Sept. 2nd

TCU is a team that has truly established themselves in the world of college football. After winning the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin and being ranked number 14 last season TCU really has something to prove. Being undefeated and finishing 2^nd in the poll, the Horned Frogs feel the pressure of maintaining their title. This week TCU plays the Baylor Bears- a Texas rival. Although TCU beat Baylor last year 45-10, this year the Horned Frogs have lost 6 starting players; one being their QB, Andy Dalton. The Frogs are coming back with only a few key players including Brock, Carter, Wesley, Tucker and James. The new starting QB, Casey Pachall, has big shoes to fill following Dalton who carried the team in winning 42 games throughout his Horned Frog career.

Baylor on the other hand has something to prove. Last year they did have a successful season-something to be proud of. They broke through and played in a bowl game for the first time in the past 16 years. Last year Baylor’s defense allowed over 400 yards per game however, this year they have brought in a new defensive coordinator, Phil Bennet. The Bears are hoping that his defensive schemes give them the chance to beat TCU at the game this Friday.

TCU has been known for their strong and fast moving defense. What this next game will really come down to is whether or not the Horned Frog’s D can stay strong against Baylor’s offense and now the Bear’s "new" Defense. The bottom line is the Baylor Bears are out for purple Horned Frog blood.