Lauren Folden
Name: Lauren Folden
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
Year at Westmont: Freshman
Major: Communications
Email: admsstu@westmont.edu
AIM: LaurenWestmont
Bio: My name is Lauren, and I am from Vancouver, Washington, which is right outside of Portland, Oregon. I come from a family of four, my mom, dad, and little brother, Evan. I have wanted to come to Westmont since I was in fifth grade, and I can’t believe I am here! Between the sun, sand, beautiful campus, and all of the amazing people I have met, Westmont is the experience of a lifetime. Trust me, for anyone who comes from a cold, rainy climate, it is much easier to get up in the morning when the sun is shining. I am only a freshman, but so far my friends and I haven’t run out of things to do. We shop on state street, as much as our college students’ budgets will allow, hang out in the lounges, eat lots of ice cream from the DC (dining commons), and catch up on reading at East Beach. I am so excited about all the opportunities that Westmont has to offer. Here students can join clubs, do intramural sports, get an internship, or my personal favorite, study abroad! I can’t wait to see what will happen in these next four years.
About Westmont: I chose Westmont not just for its beautiful setting and record of academic excellence, but for the Christian atmosphere that is so easily felt here. It is amazing to see my Christian faith integrated into the curriculum in the classrooms, spread throughout the community by various Westmont student ministries, and even used as a means of bringing the student body together at chapel. That is another thing I love about Westmont, the sense of community. If anyone wants to find a place where they can feel like they are part of something, and bond with other students and Christians, Westmont, in my experience, is that place.
Blogs
Lauren’s Seventh Blog
April 9, 2008
With less than a month to go, life here on campus is crazy, especially with all of the preparation for Spring Sing. Spring Sing is Westmont’s oldest and dearest tradition. In short, it involves a campus wide competition between the dorms, divided up into girls and guys teams to create and perform the best eight minute musical comedy. Teams pick famous songs and change the lyrics to match their hilarious, albeit ridiculous plots. These sorts of things are top secret, so I can’t really disclose any details but I am pretty sure that I am allowed to divulge my all-important role. I am a tree! How did I score this amazing opportunity? I was basically too lazy for any other role. As a tree, all I have to do I run out on stage and flail my branches around. No lines, no memorization. But for most people at Westmont, Spring Sing is serious business. The Clark girls have been practicing for two or three hours a day on their song and dance routines. I show up every once in a while to rush the stage while doing my best imitation of foliage.
In spite of the utter seriousness with which this tradition is regarded, perhaps the best part of the entire experience is the friendships that you make. We have all been surprised at the bonding that occurs when everyone is wearing silly costumes and singing weird lyrics for the millionth time. Unfortunately, there are only two days left until the actual performance at the UCSB Thunderdome! Wish us luck!
Lauren’s Sixth Blog
February 28th, 2008
I can’t believe it, but my freshman year is almost over. The past few months have flown by and even though it is only March, spring is well on its way. Santa Barbara’s dusty olive landscape is in bloom and the clink of the bats down on the baseball field can be heard all over campus - sure signs that winter is coming to an end.
Meanwhile, I am already looking forward to next fall. I am going to BOSTON!!! A month ago, I applied for the Gordon in Boston program. It is an urban program with Westmont’s sister school, Gordon College, and is designed to promote cross-cultural exchange. Students live in a Victorian mansion in the heart of Boston while taking urban studies courses and interning for a business of their choice. I know - amazing, right? But it gets better…my friend, Rachel, is coming as well! We spent the past few weeks anxiously waiting for a letter of acceptance, all the while planning our various activities in Boston. Our imaginations ran wild with thoughts of Red Sox games, cannoli, an internship at the Boston Ballet (for Rachel), and in my case, several historical points of interest. I excitedly suggested to Rachel that we visit Plymouth Rock, The U.S.S. Constitution, or the Bunker Hill Monument. She just smiled and nodded somewhat less enthusiastically in agreement.
To our relief, we finally found out that we had been accepted last Friday. Now, free from the doubts that had inhibited us, we began to plan our time in Boston with great vivacity. For example, we have already decided that we definitely must try the cannolis from Mike’s Pastry on 300 Hanover Street. In spite of such mouthwatering prospects, we are most looking forward to the amazing courses that we will be taking and the never-ending internship opportunities. I would really enjoy an internship at a magazine in Boston, working as an editorial intern. Sadly, all this excitement also means that I will be leaving Westmont for a few months. The unfamiliarity of it all is a little daunting, but I could not be more grateful that Westmont offers such wonderful opportunities for students to grow and have new experiences.
Lauren’s Fifth Blog
February 22nd, 2008
As wonderful as Westmont’s campus is, leaving to explore downtown Santa Barbara can be highly rewarding. The key word here, in my experience, is EXPLORE. Otherwise, it is too easy to get caught up in a Paseo Nuevo (that’s the mall) rut. When wandering around the mall combing the sales racks at typical department stores or consuming mass quantities of Starbucks and Ben & Jerry’s has become passé - no worries. Santa Barbara has plenty more to offer. This was something that became all too clear to me when I happened to take leave of my old stomping grounds this past weekend.
On Saturday, I was downtown to attend an evening performance of Westmont’s musical “Into the Woods,” when Santa Barbara offered up a glittering escape from typical student life. As we rushed down State Street’s broad, palm tree lined sidewalks, past trendy restaurants brimming with epicurean-type crowds, flashing lights started to explode in the distance. We excitedly murmured about what could be going on, after all, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, a mecca for artsy types and film fans, had been going on for the past ten days. A huge crowd was forming on both sides of the street and an oft immortalized red carpet unfurled from the doors of the historic Arlington Theatre. Brushing past the excited bodies into the thick of the crowd, the question became not what, but who. I inquired about the event to the woman on my right. Her eyes bulging, she frantically exclaimed that she was waiting for Angelina Jolie, who as it turns out was in Santa Barbara to receive the Outstanding Performance of the Year Award for her role in A Mighty Heart. But more importantly she continued, everyone was hoping to catch a glimpse of “B-rad,” her words not mine. “Brad Pitt is going to be here?!” I gulped, being one of those people that are quite susceptible to fits of insanity when around people of any caliber of fame. As she prattled on about “B-rad” I turned to my friends with pleading eyes. Would it be so bad to miss the play if we could bask in the glow of fame for just a moment, to revel in what had previously been limited to glossy depictions of their higher standard of living?
As it turned out, the rest of the group was hardly as star struck as I. They dragged me down the street to the play, reminding me that we were there to support our friends. I was not nearly as convinced taking my seat in the theatre, all the while dreaming of the moment when Brad’s eyes would have met mine and he would… the orchestra struck up the opening chorus and my dreams were drowned by Sondheim’s fanciful lyrics and people in animal costumes.
In the end, the play had been delightful, and glancing at the time, I realized we could still make it down to Arlington Theatre, and maybe even see you know who! Clacking down the sidewalk at full-speed, the contents of our purses jingling like the percussion of a one-man band, we made our way to the theatre. It seemed as if the event was just ending so we snuck into the lobby as inconspicuously as possible. All of Santa Barbara’s finest where hobnobbing, and heavy perfume wafted through the air mingling with the smell of popcorn. But there were no longer any flashing bulbs, only the glint of enormous cocktails rings and gaudy bobbles shining on the hands and wrists of wealthy theatre patrons. We had missed them after all. Disappointed but not ready to leave, we picked up the event programs that everyone was carrying and tried to act as though we belonged. In a moment of inspiration, we glanced towards the red carpet, somewhat dingy looking upon closer inspection, and sunk our heels in with sheer glee. “Do you think,” I asked turning towards my friend, “that this is the spot where Brad stood?”
Lauren’s Fourth Blog
January 14th, 2008
It is good to finally be back at Westmont after a long three week break. No matter how worn out I felt when I left after finals, there is something exciting about rejoining friends and embarking on brand new semester and unfamiliar classes. This semester I am taking History of Western Art II, Life and Literature of the New Testament, Survey of British Literature 1800’s-present, and Philosophical Perspectives. While I am totally interested in most of these courses, I am most looking forward to my new schedule because I never have class before 10 am! I guess there must be some people who actually like early classes, but I function much better without a 7 am wakeup call. So today after chapel, I headed to my first ever class of 08’, History of Western Art II. Art history is my minor so I immediately felt in my element. I similarly enjoyed my Brit. Lit. class, which is in my major. Still, all this newness is a lot to take in, and words with only recently absorbed meanings like chiaroscuro and apocrypha are floating around in my head.
Not everything about being back is completely great though. Aside from the homework, which is hard to get used to doing again, the gym has been totally swamped with what I have decided are New Years Resolutioners. I know that is not a real word, but what I mean is that prior to the break, I had never seen these people at the gym before. While I suppose I should be happy for them in their inspired state of perspiration, I can only hope that they eventually give up or at least decide not to come during my usual time. Usually though, having a gym on campus is great, and because it is so close, there is no excuse not to go. Homework certainly doesn’t count as an excuse, considering the number of times I have seen people reading on the treadmill. But be warned, bring an iPod! Sometimes the music selection in the fitness center can get a little weird. I actually enjoy the occasional Bob Marley, but the German death metal screamer music is pretty scary. I don’t know what the guy in the song was saying, but I got the distinct impression that he was angry and wanted to hurt me. That being said, maybe some of my best memories at Westmont will be the things I didn’t expect
Lauren’s Third Blog
December 20, 2007
The halls are decked, finals are under way, and Christmas break is right around the corner. I can hardly believe that fall semester is coming to an end! These past few months have been very busy and transforming for me. For starters, I changed my major, which is something students tend to do here. Coming to Westmont, I was dead set on majoring in Communications, but my love of literature has led me to become an English major. In my Studies in Literature class, I realized I wanted to really excel in English and totally changed my mind. Westmont professors tend to have that effect on students. This spring I am really excited about taking a Survey of British Literature course with the illustrious Dr. Sider. Spring 2008 will be his last semester at Westmont, so I really relish the opportunity to take this course.
Another academic development that really surprised me was my love of psychology. To tell the truth, when I signed up for General Psychology I was only taking it to fulfill my life science requirement. It is a two hour class, twice a week, at eight o’clock am and I thought it was going to be the thorn in my flesh for the next sixteen weeks. I could not have been more wrong. From the very first day, Dr. Gurney grabbed my attention with her in-class experiments and intellectually stimulating lectures. I learned that psychology isn’t just about brain function, though that is an integral part, but rather a science of relationships and an art of listening. The course was filled with no end of shocking anecdotes from the history of psychological science and fun clips of experiments from YouTube. I actually found myself looking forward to Gen. Psych, despite the fact that eight o’ clock am is egregiously early for college students, and did not even know where the time had gone when Dr. Gurney would dismiss us at the end of class.
This is not to say that my first semester of college has been all fun and games. To the contrary, I have worked harder here for my grades than ever before. It takes a lot of discipline not to join my friends for weeknight movies or late runs to The Study (our on-campus restaurant). Of course, it probably goes without saying that I did not always resist. Late night treats at The Study are especially tempting. But, a word to the wise, very little studying actually goes on in The Study. If you really want to get work done, I would recommend the library. Unfortunately, I am not very good at taking my own advice. On the occasion that I really need to write an essay and my roommate is watching Nacho Libre from the millionth time, I will go, but only if absolutely necessary, it is just too quiet! Upon walking in, the silence is actually deafening, probably because it is such a radical departure from every other place on campus. Sometimes, I imagine that the quiet is going to suffocate me or swallow me up; this sounds ridiculous but seriously, you could hear a pin drop! All that said, holing oneself up in a corner of the library is very conducive to studying.
Finally, one of the most transforming aspects of Westmont, for me, has been the beautiful weather. Well into December, you can still hear the flip-flop of So-Cal’s most ubiquitous footwear echoing throughout the campus. Even the other day I was shocked to leave my sweater behind in my room on a sunny morning in the 70’s. With so many Californians at Westmont, hardly anyone else finds the weather as amazing as I do, but I have learned a lot from them. For instance, Californians have taught me to always wear flip-flops, preferably Rainbows. While I am still getting used to this, I highly recommend the aptly named Rainbows, which come in a wide variety of colors. Ironically, most people just wear them in brown. It was actually somewhat hilarious when in my psychology class we participated in an experiment that involved taking off one shoe and putting it in a pile at the front of the room. Everyone looked anxiously at the pile, realizing that it consisted predominantly of brown Rainbows! Luckily, mine weren’t too hard to find…they are pink.
Lauren’s Second Blog
October 19th, 2007
Well, it’s midterms week here at Westmont and that means one thing, studying! Unfortunately, one can only study for so long before it becomes necessary to find some relief. For me, this meant abandoning my pile of notes and textbooks to enjoy a soccer game… good choice too, it was an awesome game! Our Warriors beat Biola’s Eagles 5-0, netting two goals in just the first ten minutes of the game. Overall, Westmont scored 4 times in the first half and then again in the 82nd minute of the game.
This was especially exciting on the heels of our loss to Concordia, the number one NAIA team in the nation, this past Saturday, but even then our guys really held their own. Also, I got a free t-shirt, so I have nothing but good things to say about soccer here at Westmont!
Lauren’s First Blog
September 21st, 2007
A curious thing happened last night here at Westmont. I was in my room studying for a supposedly heinous psychology exam when, suddenly, I heard an uproar of grunting sounds erupting from Clark Beach (the lawn in front of the Clark dorms). Once outside, I witnessed all of the Clark men hastily removing their shirts, smearing their chests with red paint, and swinging pillows over their heads. Some were even wearing capes. As I stared on in disbelief, I was joined by my suitemate, Brienna. The grunting sounds were growing louder and louder as more of these strange “warriors” congregated on the beach. Then just as quickly as they had appeared, they started to walk towards Page (the other freshman dorm). Brienna turned towards me with a gleam in her eyes that I understood perfectly; we had to investigate!
We followed the pack at a safe distance as they made their way to the Page multipurpose room. There inside, the Page and Clark men joined together, with even more shirt flinging, grunting, and paint smearing. Observing from the outside, we could hear them chanting in ominous tones, and we understood, battle was imminent. They emerged a few minutes later, with grave faces and their pillows in hand. Not a single one turned to look at the girls which had formed a crowd on either side of them to witness the strange event. Silently they marched toward the track and field, prepared to face the unknown. But we all knew what was waiting, for we heard them first.
There, below on the field, they waited in the darkness, the upperclassmen, calling out for their prey with a fierce battle cry. Slowly the freshman descended on field where across from them the upperclassmen were waiting, also shirtless and with pillows. Then the chanting continued, louder and louder each time, with us girls on the sideline offering our support as we could. And after a terrible moment of anxiety they charged into the darkness, and we witnessed a fearsome spectacle under one lone, dwindling light. They roared fiercely as they smacked each others bodies with their pillows and generally beat one another as hard as a person can with something so fluffy. There before us unrolled a carnage of which I had never seen before. Or had I? Images of Braveheart had come to mind. After several bouts of battle and callings to “regroup,” they finally stopped. “Welcome to Westmont!” screamed the upperclassmen. We laughed as the crowd gradually dispersed a pillow fight initiation at Westmont? Who would have thought?