I’m sure many, if not all of you, are familiar with Adam Sandler’s “Lunch Lady” song.  It’s as catchy as a one hit wonder band named Hanson!  Anyway, its funny ’cause each lunch lady here, at least for the most part, has a nickname or something about ‘em that everyone knows or is unique….at least to me ha.  Alright, here’s the dl.

First off, you’ve got Jamie the Haven lady.  If she doesn’t know your name, you’re either a freshman or you never eat.  She is a ray of sunshine to everyone on this campus and she got the employee of the year from the student body.  Everyday that I get a meal from Jamie, it comes with a hug and a smile…no joke.  Sadly, she’s retiring and she will be deeply missed.

Most of the other lunch lady stories dwell from the MP (that stands for Market Place for those non-AU lingo enthusiasts).  First, you got Grandma, she pretty much runs the joint.  Then there’s the dynamic duo of Nancy and Wanda.  I currently hold the position of president of their gossip club and try to keep them up to date on all the comings and goings (mainly whats going on in the news and my life in general).  They’re great!  I think Nancy wanted to set me up with her granddaughter at one point, but as of yet that is put on hold.  Then you got Berte, who is just a sweet heart.  Earlier this year, I definitely saw that sweet little lady cruising by on a moped haha.  True story.  There’s also the sweet Asian lady who is always good for a smile, but I don’t know by name.  You got Karen, who normally takes the ID cards streetside.  As far as the lunch lady who takes ‘em on the valley side…well, let’s just say don’t even THINK about stepping two feet past the door unless she’s swiped your card.  Trust me, you won’t get far.   

So whether its Hogies and Grinders, Navy Beans or Sloppy Joes, I recommend ordering the most consistently good thing on the menu: a wrap, a hug from Jamie, and a small from the fabulous MP ladies!

-Jon     

    Okay, this week has been pretty cool relating to the whole freak out stage of Sunday night.  Earlier on in the week, I decided to tag along with a friend and visit the RMBA program at the Flagship Enterprise. Its a residential program where a student can receive an MBA in a little less than 11 months for a little under $22,000.  That cost includes an apartment, tuition, utilities and cable, a business labtop and a three week trip to Europe (included are flight, lodging and transportation).  It’s a pretty sweet deal!  You have class twice a week and a co-op three days of the week.  The co-op is where you work for a company, get paid for it, and gain experience while in the program.  So youalso have an income during that time!  It’s realy intriguing and I am definitely considering it post-graduation.  At the age of 23, I would have a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Comm and an MBA.  Pretty freaking sweet! It would also give me time to figure out some things and what I want to do.

    Not to mention that I had a phone interview for a company I’d like to work for AND a new position opened for them right here in in Indy!!!  That would be a sweet option.  Also, I have had some great convos with some Profs here at AU and a friend who’s a youth pastor/camp director about ministry and what my call is.  They have been awesome!!  So, I know that this blog may not be that interesting but its definitely been something I’ve been experiencing as a senior and the different options on the table.

-Jon         

So Sunday night, I think I had a partial freak out moment and a mental break down!!  And you know what was the worst part of it all?  I was trying to sleep during that time ha!  I’m a senior who is four weeks away from graduation and I have no idea what I want to do with my life.  Now, granite, I believe it is quite absurd to condition a 22 year old individual that they need to know what they want to do with the rest of their 60 years of life, while only experiencing 1/4 of it already!  HOLY COW!!!  I’VE ALREADY LIVED A QUARTER OF MY LIFE!!!  See what I mean….freaking out haha.  Let me better paint this picture for you.

I am picky.  I really don’t know what I want.  But I do know what I do not want, which can be just as important.  There aren’t many job opportunities I have pursued or other interests/avenues I have gone down.  I have looked, searched, and put all my efforts into the few places that I enjoyed and could see myself being passionate about.  I will not settle.  I will not just accept something because it gives me security because one day, years down the road, I’m going to wake up, hate my job, most likely hate the life I am living, and ask myself “How in the world did I get here?”.  Yes, this may be a rather utopian or shangri-la mindset, but I’m not sure its one that I am ready to comprise on.  I am honestly trying to learn more about myself, my passions and desires, and what God may be asking of me.  These are all important, and although it may be difficult at times and I may be needing to ask God for peace from my freak out modes, I believe it is the path I want to go down and choose to pursue.  The only question is, what’s next?  I found this quote by Anne Frank this morning when I googled her looking for a different quote.  Thought it was appropriate:

“Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is! ”

-Jon      

As I look out the window at Admissions, my eyes fall upon a dynamic building and valley.  Every year, my perception of this campus grows and changes, it goes through a metamorphosis process from being seen as a simple university campus to transform into something better, a higher calling and achieving its purposeful and proper destiny - to serve as a frsibee golf course! 

For those who may be unaware and ignorant to the concept of frisbee golf (aka FROLF), it is quite simple.  It is just like golf except instead of using a club and a ball, one uses a frisbee and tries to hit certain targets as holes.  Caddies and golf carts are of infrequent use and seeming absurdity, however, either can still serve a humorous purpose in the game and therefore have a place amongst its patrons.

There are also several life lessons that can be learned from FROLF (or, I guess golf as it is the originator of this game).  The game can never be won, it can only be played and experienced.  No matter how talented you are, you can still be outplayed by a less talented player with lady luck as his constant companion.  Despite a major mistake, missing your mark and getting off course, everything can change in an instant and mistakes can be made right in the end…however, one poor throw can ruin your chances at winning the hole.  It doesn’t matter how you start, it matters how you finish.  Oh, and fyi, this weekend I played the WORST round of FROLF in my life ha!

-Jon       

Due to an unexpected and unanticipated recent hiatus of the fabulous AU Admissions staff, I have found myself scrounging at the bottom of my creative juices barrel.  Allow me to dictate the scenario through an unneccessarily drawn out verbal illustration. 

Aaaahhh, monday morning.  I began my morning rituals much the same as I’m sure you all do.  I like to clothe myself, provide a little bit of sustance for my eating pleasure and occassionally maintain my personal hygiene (I’m more of a noctural bather myself but exceptions can be made).  I throw my backpack over my shoulder like a continental soldier and began the necessary preparations of walking the one block to work.  I had much anticipated hopes of listening to the Sweeney Todd soundtrack which currently resides on the computer I use for work, and if happens chance gave way, a slight and subtle whistle may protrude my lips while I labored.  Much to my dismay, there would be no whistling, no Sweeney Todd and apparently no one there!  All the staff had gone on a staff retreat for monday and tuesday - although I would not find out that the escapade extended to tuesday until I repeated my morning procedures only to realize that again, my preparations had been made in vain with the absence of the staff….and that Sweeney Todd would have to wait another day.  Here is where we arrive at the bottom of the barrel that once cascaded with liquid creativity.  So here it is, a blog written with creative and unnecessary descriptive diction, geared towards the simple illustration that I lack the creative gumption and intriguing subjects necessary to present an adequate blog at this time.  (So I’ll probably do another one soon….like tomorrow ha).

-Jon       

My most recent 3-day obsession is without a doubt the Burton/Depp masterpiece “Sweeney Todd.”  My initial impressions of the film via trailers, was not very alluring or intriguing.  Infact, without knowing much about the story, it looked kind of silly.  Thankfully though my appreciation for Johnny Depp’s work and the brilliance of Tim Burton were enough to cast aside my initial skepticism and take the plunge….and WOW!!!

Admittedly its a dark story - but so good!  The music is incredible and catchy.  Depp and Helena are perfect and ingenious enough to pull it off.  Not to mention the way Tim Burton invisions the film and the cinematography he creates!  I must admit and warn any potential viewer though, it is dark and it is very bloody.  Infact, its the first film I’ve seen in a while that received a “R” rating based strictly on bloody violence.  However, I must admit that I watched it twice in two days and almost watched it back-to-back.  Two interesting things to note: one, none of the actors were singers that starred in this musical and two, apparently it is based on a true story!  So, if you want to see the trailer, go to youtube and type in Sweeney Todd.

-Jon      

Okay, you know the whole busyness of school and life and how it can catch up to you and consume you…ya, that’s what’s happened to me this semester.  I’ve been working hard for this one professor and doing more work in that class than in any other.  Believe me, its hard and frustrating - especially when you don’t feel you’re learning ANYTHING from him haha.  So, last week on Tuesday I made a pledge: 

“I, Jonathan Michael Bausman, pledge to uphold the fun aspects of college.  With six weeks left in my college career, I vow to no longer bow down to classes, work and that professor.  I vow to have fun and enjoy the little time I have left.”

So far, it has yet to catch up with me.  I’ve watched a TON of movies so far, which my favorite have been “Into the Wild” and “Sweeney Todd.”  Gone for a walk, went bowling, went to a lock-in, hung out and talked with friends, played Settlers of Catan (its a really addicting board game), gotten ice cream and slept.  It’s been GREAT!  I went on a “sabbatical” if you will from working out to free myself of some time and enjoy some rest.  So today I am going off my sabbatical but still planning on holding to my vow.  “I pledge allegiance to have fun.”

-Jon   

 Hey everyone, I would first like to say that I am sorry for not recently fulfilling my duties as a blogger.  Its been too long since I have posted.  I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!  I know I did, I went home and seriously watched seven thousand and sixty-two movies over the weekend.  I’m just kidding…but seriously I watched a ton of movies and a ton of NCAA basketball.  March madness is honestly one of my favorite times of the year.  But anyway, it was so nice to be home with my family and my friend Joe (who is a student at AU and one of my teammates on the basketball team and is also from England) and just relax.  So often I, and I am sure many of you can relate, just get so busy with school and sports and looking for a job for the summer and everything that I don’t take time just to spend with friends and family.  So Easter break was really a nice break from the action.

It is finally a little bit sunny out today, which lately it hasn’t been and its a little bit depressing.  I cannot wait until spring…well actually it is spring…so I guess I should say I can’t wait for the weather to start acting like it is spring! Spring is great time of the year.  It makes me want to go frolicking through the valley and giggle with my friends…haha!

Before I leave you I want you to know that if you are here at Anderson and are looking for things to do, I am going to get a list together of the best things to do in Anderson in your free time.

I look forward to talking to you all again!

Gray out.

 (Me and my roommates Joel and Nick)

This picture is a good representation of my life right now - it begs the question “what the heck??”  and “what is going on??”

I’m a business major right?  I have done a lot of ministry positions over the years, especially in college - two years as an RA, two church internships, camp counselor jobs, chaplain of Boosters and the list could go on.  However, I never really intended on doing any of that as an occupation after college……but things have started to change.  Over spring break I started reading “Waking the Dead” by John Eldredge.  Its a great book and very similar to “Wild at Heart” (which is def. my fav).  The last chapter I read talks about nudging, and how God nudges us and we should listen.  For a while, I felt like I was being nudged to make a Christian Ministries resume, and this was the turning point.  I decided to listen and made plans to make one and to call my friend Bryan who is a director of a camp near Warsaw, Indiana.  Turns out, that not only had God placed it on my heart to get in contact with him, but apparently God had placed me on Bryan’s heart heavily and he had been praying for me a lot lately.  That night when we got back from spring break, I was sharing a lot of things with my gf Traci, and that conversation was a blessing where God started relieving fears that I had built up inside of me.  He showed me where He had been working in ways I hadn’t seen before and encouraged me.

So, to be honest, I’m pretty excited about it all, but at the same time a little uncertain (okay…a lot of uncertain).  I don’t know what it all means in the big picture or where to go from here.  All I know is that God is nudging me to do certain things at the moment and I am trying to be faithful in those things.  Of course, it is hard not to wonder where those things are leading and where it all fits in the big picture, but I am trying not to focus on it.  I’m meeting with our campus ministries director, Stuart Erny (AMAZING MAN!) this friday to talk about some of it.  As he always told me, I should see life and where God is taking me as an adventure…and you can not have adventure without a little risk or uncertainty :).  So here it goes!

- Jon

  There is a simple equation that exists.  Its quite elementary and basic, but when its broken down, its not hard to see why it works so well.  If some sort of genius mathematician, say Stephen Hawking, were to translate such an equation from binary code to prose, it may look something similar to this:

Mountains + Beach + Best Friends + The Girlfriend = The Best Spring Break Road Trip Ever

 So its the last big hurrah, senior year spring break.  One of the last opportunities to be carefree and enjoy the company of some of the best friendships I have.  It all started out with me planning on flying down to Florida to visit my girlfriend.  Then a few friends wanted to come and keep me company, which turned into renting a sleak and sexy minivan and making it a roadtrip across the South lands.

  So we road tripped it to sweet home Alabama and stayed with a family on top of Lookout Mountain.  We had home cooked southern meals, visited waterfalls, played lots of games and just relaxed.  Then it was off to West Palm, Florida where the main mode of transportation is either a Mercedes, BMW or Jaguar….so needless to say, our little white Nissan stood out.  We bummed around different apartments around campus and enjoyed the luxury of a free roof over our heads.  For me, the week was filled with the beach, nice dinners on the town, resting and catching up on some Z’s, frisbee, and above all else, enjoying the company of my friends and girlfriend, Traci.  She and I got to take each other on some much needed dates and I got to watch her perform at a coffee house on Friday night with my two roommates Nick and Joel.  Needless to say, it was a great way to end the last of my spring breaks!

-Jon

From back left to right that’s Nick, Me, Bryan, Joel, and the front are Traci and Alleigh.  Yes, it was the four guys and Alleigh doing the road tripping haha.