Jesse Roberts

Goodbye

2009-05-14T12:29:00.000-04:00

Sadly, this will be my last blog. I have worked in the Admissions Office here at GWU for two years. I have been offered a job with Residence Life as a Residence Advisor (RA), so when I come back in the fall, I will no longer be working in the Admissions Office. I will be the RA in HAPY wing for next year, so some of you may be on my hall! I have enjoyed giving tours and working with the amazing team of counselors here in the office, but it is time for something new! I hope that if you have kept up with my blogs that you will introduce yourself personally when you get here in the fall. I hope everyone has a fantastic summer, and CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!

Formal

2009-05-14T12:28:00.000-04:00

Every year, Gardner-Webb has an event called Spring Formal. It's kind of like a prom, but for college students. Everyone dresses in formal attire, goes out to eat, then goes to Formal. It's a pretty huge ordeal, and most students go to it. Spring Formal 2009 was this past Saturday! My friends and I all met at Lake Hollifield at 6 and took pictures. We then headed to Outback in Gastonia for dinner, then back to the Webb for the big event. We had a blast! Since I'm only a Sophomore, I still have two left!

Final Exams

2009-04-23T12:59:00.000-04:00

Exams, Exams, Exams. We are only TWO weeks from exams. I have endured a semester full of projects, research proposals, quizzes, tests, homework, and papers . . . .and now the moment of truth - final exams.

Exams are usually comprehensive and typically count as a major portion of your final grade, which makes them much more stressful. The stress is increasing and people are ready for the semester to end. But first, we have to take those dreaded exams. Wish me luck!

Summer Plans

2009-04-23T12:58:00.000-04:00

The semester is quickly coming to a close, and summer is fast approaching. This summer I will be living on campus in the apartments while working for the Campus Ministries Office. I don't plan to take summer classes. Last year I stayed on campus, worked in the admissions office, and took summer classes. This year I'm going to take a break from school - I am going to work and relax, which will be really great.

The break can't get here fast enough.

What Do College Students Live For?

2009-04-16T09:31:00.001-04:00

Easter has come and gone . . . . which is good and bad. The break was nice, but coming back means that we only have a couple of weeks until exams . . . . and then SUMMER!! College students live for two things - sleep and summer - sleep is lacking right now, but summer is getting closer!! We have 18 days until exams and then we are home free! All I can say is - it couldn't possibly come at a better time!

Easter

2009-04-16T09:29:00.001-04:00

Easter Break was so short, but so needed! I was overjoyed to have the break, but saddened that it ended so quickly. I played for the Maundy Thursday service at my church on Thursday night. It was a very interesting service. It was called a Service of Shadows. We partook of Communion and spent time reading scripture related to the night of the first Lord's Supper and the Crucifixion. It was a beautiful service. On Easter I played at church and then went to my grandmother's house for lunch. Afterwards I went home and spent some time with the family. That night I met some friends for dinner at a Thai restaurant and watched a movie! Break was great, but far too short.

Easter Break

2009-04-07T14:46:00.000-04:00

Easter Break will be here in less than 3 days! After classes on Wednesday it is home sweet home! I will be leaving campus around 5 to head to church, and after choir rehearsal I will be going home. We have no classes on Thursday, Friday, or Monday. It is a short break, but very much needed. Everyone is getting stressed out with the thought of exams - they will be here before we know it! The break will be a great time to relax and prepare for what is ahead.

Spring Time

2009-04-07T12:44:00.000-04:00

The weather this weekend was amazing!! Mid 70s and sunny! I was stuck in the library for most of the day on Saturday working on a paper for my New Testament class. Sunday after church I got back and hung out on the Quad with some friends. We passed the football for a while and just enjoyed the weather. It was pretty great. Hope it doesn't get cold again anytime soon!

"Time flies when you're having fun."

2009-04-06T16:37:00.004-04:00

We have all heard this saying, but have we ever really thought about the truth behind it? I'm taking a Seminar Positive Psychology, and we have been discussing the difference between a "flow experience," and the "8 to 5 mind." The flow experience is when you are totally consumed with what you are doing. It is in those experiences that you lose track of time, and you are fully in to what it is that you are doing. When in the "8 to 5 mind" you are fully aware of every minute that passes and you are constantly watching the clock.

When thinking about my college experience to this point, I would definitely say that it has been a flow experience. It seems like only yesterday that my parents were unloading my things into my first dorm room and driving away. Now, I realize that I have been in college for nearly 2 years now. I will be a Junior next year, and every minute of this experience has flown. I have to stop and remind myself to savor every minute of my college experience, because it will quickly be over.

God has big plans, and I can't wait to see what is next.

It is done

2009-04-06T16:36:00.000-04:00

I am alive - yes, after having taken 5 tests within 7 days, I am still alive. :) The past week has been extremely rough, but that's what college is all about! Busy days and sleepless nights. It sometimes seems like all of your professors get together and plot against you - all planning multiple assignments, quizzes and exams on the same days. The end of the semester is always the busiest time of the year in college, but that only makes the arrival of summer that much better.

Time to Study

2009-03-20T10:11:00.001-04:00

Spring Break has come and gone, so now it's time to hit the books. As a matter of fact, I will be hitting the books pretty hard this week. I have 5 tests and 2 quizzes all within 7 days . . . I am praying for strength, commitment . . . .and sanity. If I stay at school this weekend, I will be distracted with friends and the temptation to do everything BUT study, so I decided that I would solve that problem by going home. If I am at home with my books, I can study without distraction. . . or at least let's hope so.

Spring Break 2009

2009-03-20T10:09:00.000-04:00

Spring Break 09 was really great. I went to the beach with some friends. A close friend of mine has a condo at Cherry Grove near North Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. She gave me an incredible deal so some friends and I left for the beach on Sunday after church and came back the following Saturday. While we were there I had the opportunity to go to the Dixie Stampede for the first time, and I must say, it was a pretty awesome experience. The weather was pretty nice for the first three days we were there, but on Thursday it got cold and windy, so we stayed around the condo and went to Broadway at the Beach. It was really nice to get away from the stress of school for a while.

Spring Break

2009-03-06T11:01:00.001-05:00

Spring Break is finally here. Some friends and I will be leaving on Sunday afternoon after church for the Beach. We are going to be staying in North Myrtle. The weather is supposed to be great. . . guess I'm going from one extreme to the other - snow one week, and beach the next! Gotta love it! :)

Snow Day

2009-03-06T11:00:00.001-05:00

Gardner-Webb is in Boiling Springs. . . . and Boiling Springs never gets snow - we are in the Isothermal Belt. To be honest, when the weathermen predict snow, we all laugh. On Sunday, it rained pretty steadily all day long, and the temperature fluctuated. None of us believed that it would snow. On Sunday evening I was out to dinner at a local mexican restaurant, Mi Pueblito, with some friends when one of them yelled "it's snowing!!" We all sat there in amazement! I had ridden with my friends to the restaurant, and the girl who had driven threw me the keys and told me to drive. . .so here I am driving a car that doesn't belong to me in the snow. GWU initially put us on a two our delay, but around 11:30 they cancelled all Monday classes. Not only did it snow. . . but it snowed 7 inches!!

Spring Break

2009-02-25T11:33:00.000-05:00

Spring Break is quickly approaching, and I am more than ready! Some friends and I are heading to Cherry Grove near Myrtle Beach for the week. A friend of mine gave me a great deal on her condo for that week, so I'm pretty happy. The days just can't pass quickly enough!!

Fire Alarm Wake Up Call

2009-02-25T11:32:00.000-05:00

This morning, I looked at my clock and was pleasantly surprised that I had twenty more minutes to sleep. I dozed back off. . . and a couple of minutes later was rudely awakened by the fire alarm in my building! The steam from one of the showers had activated it . . . making everyone venture out into the freeaing cold parking lot . . . in their pajamas.

What a wake up call!

Ski Retreat

2009-02-20T15:21:00.002-05:00

Geeze! This week has gone by so slowly! It's insane how anticipation makes time drag! I am going to Boone, NC on a Ski Retreat with my youth group, and I have been anticipating this "get-away" all week! I have had three tests and a quiz this week, so I am definitely due for a break! I'll probably have to work on some homework while I'm there, but at least it'll be a nice change of scenery! :)

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD"

2009-02-13T10:24:00.000-05:00

So, I have taken up a new hobby. I have started teaching piano! I now have eight students ranging from beginner to intermediate who are taking thirty minute lessons from me each week. I am having a blast. I am so passionate about music, and love to share it with others

Heaven got an Angel

2009-02-13T10:19:00.003-05:00

On Tuesday morning at 10:33 a.m. Heaven got a new angel. Alan Metcalf, a close friend and mentor of mine, passed away. Alan was 35 years old.

I met him on my first day of middle school and his first day teaching computers there. He recognized a need in my life and stepped up to the plate. He got me involved in the Boyscout Troop that he led, and got me involved in the church that I have now belonged to for seven years. Alan impacted so many lives, and although I am extremely saddened to see him leave us, I know Heaven is sweeter because he is there. We will remember you always, Monkeyshine

Birthday

2009-02-09T15:06:00.001-05:00

Twenty years ago today, my biological mother gave birth to me. It is insane to think that I have lived for two decades. Twenty years seems so long, but I have so much more to learn and experience! God has given me so much to be thankful for, and another year of life is the number one thing! So, today, do not celebrate ME, but instead celebrate GOD in the fact that he has given me another year of life!

Peace

2009-02-09T15:03:00.002-05:00

This past week has been extremely difficult for me. I have a very close friend who has a brain tumor, and things have taken a definite turn for the worst. He has been admitted to the Hospice House to receive palliative care until the Lord calls him home. I want you all to know what an impact this man made on my life. He made such a dramatic impact on my life, that if it were not for him, I would not have typed the very words you are reading right now. I would not be at Gardner-Webb, I would not have the same adopted family, I would not be a pianist at a church, and I would not be teaching piano lessons here in Boiling Springs. This man changed my life forever and I am eternally grateful that God placed him in my life. Please pray for God to bring peace and comfort to him, his family and all those who loved him so dearly.

My Album

2009-01-27T15:25:00.001-05:00

Friday I finished the recording for my first album! I recorded on a 9 ft. Steinway Concert Grand, which I must admit was pretty amazing. The recording process took roughly 5 hours. The album is all piano church music with some orchestration - ranging from meditative, to what I like to call "bombastic." Church music is something that I have always loved, and now I have the opportunity to share that love with those around me. Please be in prayer as God has opened this wonderful door! More info to come!

Confirmation

2009-01-27T15:22:00.001-05:00

Some weeks you just need to be lifted up. This was one of those weeks. But, it always seems that in the toughest of times, God knows what you need. This week hasn't been the greatest, but yesterday at church, God provided the words I needed to hear. It's kind of funny how we look everywhere for confirmation on things in life, but then when we least expect it, He speaks like never before. What an amazing God we serve!!

Psychology

2009-01-22T20:34:00.000-05:00

I am taking two 400 level Psychology courses: Seminar in Positive Psychology and Introduction to Counseling. I am really enjoying these classes! I am a Psychology major and I am fascinated by these topics. I have decided to get my Core requirements out of the way as quickly as possible so that I can focus on my major during my Junior and Senior years, but I threw a couple of major courses into the mix this semester so that I could have some variety. It's nice to have options!

Slush Day

2009-01-22T20:33:00.001-05:00

Wow! It is insanely cold outside! The entire campus went crazy as we heard the news that it was supposed to snow . . . . yes, that's right - SNOW in Boiling Springs. Snow here in good ol Boiling Springs is a very rare occurence. It was supposed to snow from Monday night late into the day on Tuesday. I woke up around 6:30 a.m. and called our inclement weather hotline, only to be disappointed as I heard the words, "Today is Tuesday, January 20. Gardner-Webb University's main campus in Boiling Springs is operating on a regular schedule." I reset my alarm to wake me up for my first class and went back to sleep. When I went outside I knew why we were on a normal schedule . . . . the ground that was supposed to have an accumulation of 2 to 3 inches of snow, had maybe a 1/2 inch of slush. Sad day at the Webb.

Where Did Christmas Vacation Go?!

2009-01-19T16:04:00.002-05:00

Wow! Christmas Break was wonderful, but it is hard to believe that it is already over! The break was nearly a month long, but it flew by! I really enjoyed sleeping late and spending time with my family, but I was definitely ready to come back when the time came. Over break I commuted to GWU to work in the Admissions Office to escape from boredom and earn some extra money for the holidays. I also enjoyed catching up with high school friends and going to a lot of Christmas Parties. Our church performed their annual Christmas Cantata, which was wonderful.
The break was great, but it quickly ended after New Year's. The new semester is here and with that comes new classes, new professors, and a new schedule. I love the feeling of a brand new semester. It is refreshing to begin with a clean slate and set goals for yourself for the coming months. The stress level is relatively low at the beginning of a semester, but progressively grows with assignments, projects, exams, and papers. The beginning of a semester is a great time to get a handle on your work. If you begin early, you don't get behind - but, then again, how many college students actually "work ahead?" haha I am the world's worst to give in to the horrible habit of procrastination. It is my goal this semester to work on things ahead of time rather than the night before, but we will see what the semester brings. :)

Piano Jury

2008-12-05T15:16:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow (Saturday) is my very first Piano Jury. I will go before a board of piano professors who will grade/judge me on my ability to perform three classical pieces (one from memory), various scales I have studied throughout the semester (major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor) and arpeggios that I have covered. This is exciting, yet nerve racking at the same time. I have played the piano for nearly seven years, but this is the first classical training I have ever had.

I am used to playing hymn arrangements and anthems for church. Not Beethoven's works, or various Etudes by many great composers. This is helping me to become a more well-rounded musician, and it is different
- but I like it.

Thanksgiving

2008-12-04T10:12:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I know I did! Our family always goes to my grandmother's house for lunch and she always cooks TONS of food. There were eleven of us at her house for lunch, and she cooked five desserts. FIVE! And that's only the beginning!

On Friday I got up early to do the annual Christmas shopping trip. I rolled out of bed around six a.m. and headed to Asheville to fight the crowds.

Over break I had a paper to write for World Lit, a project to work on for Religion and Culture, two tests to study for (in Business Communications and Social Psychology), and music to practice for my Piano Juries which are this coming weekend. I wrote the paper, and have taken the tests - the presentation for my project is Friday, and my Juries are Saturday. On Saturday I will have to begin preparing for my much dreaded Final Exams, which are next week.

. . . .But there is a light at the end of the tunnel!! After I take my last final exam on Thursday, I will not have to go to school for nearly an entirely month! Our vacation is from December 12 until January 8. Now that is a vacation I can live with!! No homework to worry with, no papers to write, or presentations to spend hours on! Just free time - something I am not used to! It's gonna be great.

Holidays

2008-11-21T14:47:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving Break is fast approaching, and with it comes many papers, last minute tests, and homework assignments. On Monday alone, I have three tests and a turn-in assignment. We as college students are always excited to have a break. We will return from Thanksgiving Break, have one week of classes, then take our final exams. I will be so glad to be home for the holidays. . . I'll be home for Christmas. :-)

Trans Siberian Orchestra Concert

2008-11-21T14:44:00.001-05:00

Last night I witnessed the most amazing concert ever. I took my mom, a friend, and a co-worker to the Time Warner Calbe Arena in Charlotte to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The lighting and special effects were almost as amazing as the music itself. They used multiple lasers and stage lights not to mention the fire that shot from the stage. The musicians absolutely blew my mind - they played their instruments while performing their choreographed routine as well. Their endurance and high level of performance was amazing. If you ever have the chance to attend one of their concerts, I highly recommend going. It was a great way to begin the Christmas season.

Thanksgiving Break . . . or Not?

2008-11-14T14:46:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. One more week and we are out for the Thanksgiving Holiday! We have class on Monday and Tuesday, then we are out Wednesday through the weekend. This is a much needed break, however, we only have one week until exams once we return from this break. . . which means there is a lot of work to be done over these five days. There are tons of notecards to be made, pages to be highlighted, and study guides to be created. The best part is - after exams, we have nearly an entire month out for Christmas. It couldn't possibly come soon enough!! :-)

Long Days and Sleepless Nights

2008-11-14T14:39:00.001-05:00

What a week! This past Saturday, the Adult Choir at church had a two hour long rehearsal - - - because we now only have three rehearsals left until our Christmas Cantata. This year has flown by, and the sound of Christmas music brings me to the reality that 2008 is nearly over!!
On Sunday, I got back from church and began to work on homework. I had two papers, and a Statistics assignment due, along with the stress of studying for a test. I was up until 3 a.m. On Wednesday, I had two papers due as well. The joys of college are endless. . . and so are the sleepless nights that come with them.

Broad River Outing

2008-11-03T16:53:00.001-05:00

Yesterday the weather was absolutely amazing. The sun was shining and the leaves are in full color! One of my friends and I decided that rather than doing homework in the coffee shop or in a dorm room, we would go to the Broad River to do our studying. We found a nice picnic table and worked on homework. I read for World Lit, and she worked on Biology. I was sitting there minding my own business when a massive bee randomly landed on my arm and stung me! I flailed around until it flew away. I had a large red spot on my arm for hours. It was pretty crazy. Moral of the story: there isn't one.

Halloween

2008-11-03T16:45:00.002-05:00

This year, I did something a bit different for Halloween. I had a group of friends over to my dad's. He lives in a log cabin on about 40 acres of land. We ordered pizza and watched the Exorcism of Emily Rose. After the movie we had a bonfire and made s'mores. It was pretty awesome. Most of us wore costumes. I purchased an inflatable costume from Party City. It made me look as if I were riding an Ostrich. It was pretty hilarious. Hopefully this will be an annual event. :-)

Coffee Shop

2008-10-27T10:16:00.000-04:00

So - I think have become addicted to the Broad River Coffee Shop here in Boiling Springs. I have gone there every single day of this week! I study there, I go there to meet up with friends, and sometimes I stop in to get some caffeine before class. It has become an addiction!! It is a great hang out place too. Open Mic Night is always a high point in the week for a lot of us too. It's always a good time to get away from the books and just enjoy some time away from studying. Gotta love the college life.

Rain Rain, Go Away!

2008-10-27T10:14:00.001-04:00

So, it's raining. . . . and this weekend is Homecoming!! How depressing! The Homecoming Parade has been canceled, and so has the Powder Puff Game. We typically toilet paper the entire campus on the night before the Homecoming Game, but looks like that won't be happening either. :-/ Guess we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Downhill from here

2008-10-20T16:37:00.001-04:00

Well, Fall Break has come and gone! Mid-terms are over and the rest of the semester is pretty much downhill! Less than two months left til final exams! Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner, which means there are more breaks in sight. I'm really looking forward to the holidays. I'm pretty excited about spending time with my family during the time away from school, since I've only been home one time this semester. I just wish those breaks were sooner! :-)

October Plans

2008-10-10T15:31:00.000-04:00

The month of October is going to be so busy! Fall Break is this coming weekend, and I am so looking forward to it! I hope to catch up with some friends and relax! I am playing for a revival next Monday and Tuesday evening, so that should be interesting. The last week of October, my church is having a revival too, so I will be playing for it as well! On Halloween I am having a bunch of friends over to my house for a cookout and bonfire. In all honesty, I think Autumn is my favorite season. The weather is cooler, the leaves are changing colors, and the atmosphere is just great! Gotta love it!

I Need a Break!

2008-10-10T15:29:00.001-04:00

This past week was insane!! I had five tests in one week: Social Psychology, Religion and Culture, World Lit, Business Comm, and Statistics. Besides all of the studying I had to do, I played for a funeral, worked ten hours, and went to church to play for choir rehearsal. What a week!! I love to stay busy, but I am so glad Fall Break is just around the corner. This coming weekend will be the first time I have spent the night in my own bed since I moved back to GWU in August - Can't wait!!

Where's the piano?

2008-10-03T10:39:00.000-04:00

This week one of my very close friends grandfathers passed away, and I was asked to play for the funeral. I got to the funeral home, where the funeral was to take place, only to find that there was no piano - only an old Hammond Drawbar Organ. This little organ looked like it came right out of the 70's (which was probably true). Let's just say it was quite the experience. I played a prelude, two songs in the service (Amazing Grace, and the Old Rugged Cross), and the postlude. It was an interesting experience to say the very least. Live and learn. . . and always be prepared for the unexpected!!

First Outdoor Wedding

2008-09-18T12:10:00.001-04:00

So, this week I played for my very first outdoor wedding. I never knew that playing for an outdoor wedding would be so much work!! It was insane. I borrowed a keyboard from the University, so I had to borrow an amp and keyboard stand as well. I had to load and unload everything by myself and get everything organized before the wedding began. I was placed directly in the sun, dressed in a full suit (coat and all). It rained like crazy a couple of hours before the wedding, then the sun came out - so it was very humid. It was tons of work, but I now know what to expect for the next one. Live and learn!!

This is going to be a busy year...

2008-09-13T16:19:00.003-04:00

Well, school has started back and life is GREAT - but as hectic as ever. This semester in particular is going to be insanely busy, but hey, that's the fun of college! 16 hours of classes, working 10 hours a week in the Admissions Office, playing the piano at my church, Peer Leading a group of freshmen, and minoring in music (which requires attendance of 6 concerts per semester and a ton of practice time) should definitely make for one busy semester!! I am rooming with the same guy I roomed with last year - He and I get along extremely well.
Our room this year is much bigger than the one we were in last year, so that's pretty exciting. Tons of new guys are on our hall so it's been great getting to know them as well. I'm really excited to be back in the swing of things here at the Webb. Hope your school year is off to a great start and your college search is underway! Good luck class of 2009!!

Jesse

back to school

2008-08-06T13:53:00.000-04:00

we're going to start classes aug 20

School's OUT!

2008-06-06T14:58:00.000-04:00

So, WOW. . . School is out and summer is here! I am living at GWU all summer taking Western Civilization and working here in the Admissions Office! My friends and I are having a blast. We have so many things planned for the summer! Carowinds trips, Camping Excursions, and all kinds of really great stuff! The cool thing about summer classes is that they are only like one month long. We meet for two hours a day, cover about a chapter a day, and test once a week on the subject matter that we covered since the last test. Our only grades are four tests, and a final exam. It's pretty great. I will keep you updated on all of my plans for the summer! Hope exams have gone well, and everyone is excited about graduation!! Congratulations to those of you who graduate this year! You guys ROCK! !

Hope to meet you in the Fall!!! :)
Jesse