APU Blogs - Bryan

Economic Justice Week

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:41:00 PST

This past week was “Economic Justice Week” at APU. A group of Student

Life staff members decided to put together a week dedicated to

increasing the awareness of economic injustice throughout the world.

APU Community

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:02:00 PST

I would say that one of APU’s greatest attributes is the size of it’s community. Last week I had to do a project for my office, Chapel Programs. The project required me to go around campus and do video interviews students and staff concerning a topic we will be dealing with in chapel. As I walked around and spoke with different people I found myself pleasantly uplifted by all of the students and employees I was getting to interact with; and this is my work place. I think that in a lot of work or school situations, , the environment can be very sectioned off, certain people only talk with certain people because the community is just too big. Now, I do know that not everyone at APU knows each other, and that not everyone is friendly all of the time, and that there still is some of the popularity game played here, but I have found that most people here do want to interact with each other in a positive way. I find that students and staff think getting to know someone else is a good thing, even if they disagree on topics. Things such as chapels, or Blackout basketball tailgate parties, or Gospel Sing bring a large group of this campus together at one time and you can see the benefits. APU is also pushing to open it’s little bubble of a campus and reach out to the world and community around us through our Ministry and Service office. It is a wonderful sight to see groups of students gathered around the MAS office ready to go out into the community to make a difference and to be taught new things together. I hope that this school continues to grow in size, but I also hope it never ceases to draw it’s members together regularly to learn and grow from one another.

Taking your head out of the sand

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:29:00 PST

Going, going, going, going, quick lunch, going, going, going, restroom break, going, going, going, driving, eating dinner, homework, sleep, sleep, sleep, shower, going, going……..

This type of schedule defined my life in college. I would go and go until I almost hurt when I lay in bed at night. I was taking up to 22 units at some points and playing drums with a lot of groups. I also had a group of guy friends who hung out late at night and we would philosophize and talk about how we were going to change the world until three in the morning. In some ways I miss those days. I learned so much in such a short amount of time. Even up until last year when I was finishing my Masters degree, life kind of looked like I explained before, but it changed some to look more like this:

Work, work, work, work, work, work, quick business lunch, work, work, restroom break, work, work, class, class, class, work, practice, dinner, try to talk to girlfriend, work, practice, study, sleep, sleep, work, work…..

Life this year is interesting but similar; I have gotten engaged to a wonderfully beautiful girl whom I’m planning a wedding with in July, I’m finished with my schooling for now, my job still is busy but fun and I still don’t get a lot of sleep. However, I keep being reminded about how important it is to have relationships with those people I come in contact with everyday. I realized that if all I do is stick my head in the ground and get caught up in my job, successes, failures, schooling, to-do lists and material possessions, then I will miss what I am supposed to be learning from those around me everyday.
Studying is so important and learning to work hard at things is so valuable, but life cannot only be found in those things. Life cannot be found in buying and owning every gadget we can. Life cannot be found in being self centered and only focusing on what makes us happy…..life is found in God revealing Himself through those around us.
I have a gentleman who works in my office. He works part-time, meaning that he’s only here 20 hours a week, however this guy teaches me something about the heart of God every time he’s here. He does his work and does it exceptionally well, he is also working on his graduate degree, which he puts a lot of effort into. However, he never ceases to find time to ask questions about people’s lives and encourage them everyday. He blows me away with his kindness and his positive attitude, which comes from his love of people. He is a good-hearted man and I am so grateful that God has placed him in my life to show me that loving and caring for others can and should be one of the main focal points of our lives.
My challenge would be to slow down and watch the people in your life as often as you can. Don’t allow yourself to miss learning about life outside of a classroom.

Christmas In New York

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 10:08:00 PST

Oh what a place New York is at Christmas time!

Tasting Life During My College Years

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 13:17:00 PST

Today I was thinking about all the things that made the college years

of my life so impacting. There were numerous experiences, successes

and failures, but what I feel made those years stand out so much was

tasting life for the first time!

This Weekend

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 16:56:00 PDT

This weekend....

More info on me

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 17:53:00 PDT

I thought some more information about me, besides what's on the "about me" page, would be interesting, so here it is..... whether you wanted it or not:

The New Year

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 14:48:00 PDT

Well,
Here we go. Another year! Things have started off nicely, and it will be interesting to see how this year progresses. This is my first attempt at blogging and I'm excited to be able to share some thoughts, joys, questions and frustrations. To all who will be reading this; "Hello and welcome to the life and ponderings of Bryan Taylor."