#chaptown

[capturedmomentsbyritaandco-blog]

When you leave in the dark, you know it was a great shoot!! These angels in white looked beyond stunning and we were immensely spoiled by their love and enthusiasm last night. THANK YOU, Chap Cheer, for TWO DECADES of a “Rita Pics” tradition that we hope never ends. ♥️😘🙌🏻 XOXO @chaptowncheer #ritapics #ritaandcompany #chaparralhighschoolcheerleaders #chaptown @haileynpham @isabellaaa.rosa @kaliathomas @kikibeutin @n.in.a_24 @jadenzelms @peyton.mayer @margobrier @mandyskyehammer @emilygrippe @dallasdickerson @coach.kim @abbanderss @lauren.nothum @evieolsenn (at The Country Club at DC Ranch) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvNyEiOlkJZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=khzkm8tqltru

[miss-girl-world]

new tune !

[chapmanadmission]

Waiting for Regular Decision to come out like...

[chapmanadmission]

Positive Strides

[shannsleeve]

For the ‘Honor’-able ones.

Because Cris’s nostalgia is so damn contagious.

Some of us became acquainted during our first year at Chapman as we struggled to learn about “being ethical” and telling stories. Some of us became acquainted through the awkward “Hey, haven’t I seen you in the Commons and/or class and/or roaming around DeMille before?” moments halfway through college. The rest of us were somehow magically attracted to each other at Megan’s kickback that one time over butterbeer and were stuck.

I have never been more grateful for all of those random, awkward, joyful meetings.

My first two years at Chapman are a blur when I think about our friendships. Well, except for the Azn Girls of Death because we went out to eat and play arcade games so often. Sorry, everyone else. I was caught up in a relationship and was too blind to see the lovely people standing in front of me. However, when I came home from studying abroad heartbroken, lonely, and afraid, everything changed. 

I honestly thought that I was going to come back and have absolutely NO friends. I didn’t take the time to get to know most people before I left, so, by default, I’d have no friends. But you all proved me wrong. I have never met a more welcoming bunch than yourselves. Little did I know how much you all would come to mean to me. 

Over the last two years, you all have shown me how to embrace who I am and be a more aware, loving person. Here are the ways:

In class, especially Capstone, I realized that none of you would let me get away with not knowing my stuff, even when we didn’t read or do our index cards. Thank you for forcing me to work harder. Also, thank you for sharing each of your passions with me during class. It was such a privilege to see your work and all the great things you are capable of.

You all helped to strengthen my Catholic faith. (Surprising, I know.) I’m serious and must thank you for all of the questions you’ve asked that have forced me to research more about the religious tradition I adhere to. I am no longer content with being a ‘cradle’ Catholic and am more proactive about trying to live out what I believe. (And Cris, your rosary is being put to frequent use.)

When I was in the deepest throes of my despair and fear, many of you encouraged me to seek help. I never once felt judged, mocked, or belittled. Thank you for helping me take the first step to recovery and acceptance. I am no longer afraid to tell my story or to stand with those who have a similar one. 

As I learned to pick myself up, several of you inspired me to uphold the banners for the rights of those who have felt as I have. Before your examples, I was too frightened to speak up or to join the rally. Now, I want to learn more about smashing the patriarchy for my morning cardio. Thank you for holding so strongly to your beliefs and for being willing to enlighten me. You inspired me to make the strange familiar in all aspects of my life. #lovetheOther2k15

In the Commons, you all reminded me what it was like to be happy. On several occasions, you were the reason why I was able to hold my head high and smile. Thank you for making me laugh until I couldn’t breathe with your jokes, stupid videos, creepy advances, and for sleeping everywhere but your own beds. I have so many great pictures and memories that I’ll treasure forevermore. Thank you also for going on adventures with me, whether it was tripping around Downtown Fullerton in a tipsy haze, scarfing down all-you-can-eat sushi, visiting weird museums, or the Bruxie/Ruta/Grinder/Eatery lunch runs between classes. It was such a pleasure to break bread with you.

Applying to Honors was the best decision I ever made here at Chapman, but meeting all of you was my greatest joy. 

I know wherever you go, you will be brilliant. I am humbled to have been a part of your Chapman journey and hope that we meet again in the future. 

Thank you for being my friends and for loving me. I am a better human being because I knew you. There will never be another ‘intellectual community’ such as yourselves. It has been the greatest honor to cultivate my humanity with you.

Congratulations and all my love. <3

[inkstainedpettles]

There will be times in our lives in which we have questions. Questions about ourselves, our beliefs, what we thought we once knew, and what life means. Four years ago, our main questions was "what is ahead?" And we spent four years answering that question through paths that took us through darkness and light. Well now the same question occurs, aching for a response. While one may not know the answer at this moment, know that for some it will be 2, 4, maybe several years before we get an the answer we desire. But for now; the answer that's available is life. Life is curious, infuriating, sad, brilliant and beautiful all in the same gulp. Tears and smiles occur every second of every day. My hope for us, class of 2015, is that life is predominantly smiles. But shall there ever be seeping moments of tears and darkness, know that light is just around the corner. In addition, know that each and every one of you are brilliant beings that are here to make a difference on the earth. How do I know, you ask. Well, you made a difference in mine, four years ago.

[kims-possible]

Love your blog! I saw you talking about Chapman and I was wondering if I could ask about it. How has your experience been? Are students as rich and stuck up as people say they are? How much religion is prevalent on campus? And how hot does it get? Thanks for your time! xx

Hi! thanks! lots of those answers can be found here: http://kims-possible.tumblr.com/search/Chapman

other than that - Religion is not so intense. We are a university that was started as a church affiliated “christian” school. Over the years, we are no longer considered a christian university but we are affiliated with the  “Disciples of Christ” church or “DOC” as it gets called a lot on campus. Many of my friends were DOC students - a part of the social group/activist group/scholarship group (I never really figured out what it was). they loved it. we have an interfaith center and a strong holocaust studies program so the most prominent services/events are christian or jewish or a night of remembrance for victims of the Holocaust. We celebrate a few Hindu holidays on campus - but honestly they’re kind of like “These are fun and we can market them and look like a culturally sensitive campus!” which is not the case. I know the interfaith center is awesome though. The head of it used to be (might still be) this awesome pastor/theologian/priest lady of christian faith who was married to her partner who was also a woman. so the interfaith center has always been (as far as ive experienced) a place you can go and talk about your spiritual needs an investigate a number of religions/spiritual endeavors to fulfill yourself.   

it rarely breaks 105 degrees here in orange. It’s normally like 90. I grew up somewhere it gets like 120 every summer so “hot” is relative. sorry cant be more help there.

[kims-possible]

hey, I might go to chapman and was wondering what the students are like. I'm reading stuff online that says everyone is a preppy asshole. do you find most people are nice and interesting? how strict are the rules on drugs and alcohol? Is it easy to have a social life without joining a sorority? weird questions but I'm from new york and kinda worrying about making friends being so far away.

sorry this is like a month overdue and I’m gonna use use it as a place to answer lots of asks i get about Chapman.

First! I’ve covered a number of things from sororities to parties to academics here http://kims-possible.tumblr.com/search/Chapman all my answers and posts about Chapman over the years. 

The Main question here is “are the rich kids stuck up assholes?” well, honestly, 80% of those rich kids are. seriously. But here’s the thing, They’re stuck up and apathetic and don’t understand what some people have to go through just to get into chapman, but they’re not bullies, for the most part. They don’t go out of their way to make you feel like shit and if you’re partnered with this for a project they’ll work with you in public and probably smile and wave as you walk by. they’re not bullies. and that’s specifically the rich kids. the other 20% or rich kids come from affluent families but are still super chill and down to earth and willing to consider someone’s path to get here and are awesome. Chapman also gives some killer financial aid, allowing people from other socio economic classes to attend. Personally, i found a great group of people that I got as friends, some started from day one at orientation, and some blossomed my last semester, but that doesn’t make them any less awesome.

I’m a huge nerd, I loved my major and my classmates, I have little to no shame and am crazy outgoing. I can be an overwhelming human and still managed to join/cultivate groups that allowed me to grow and love myself as an educator, a feminist, a democrat, a student, an employee, a leader, a follower, and a role model. so I recommend you try to break the idea in your head that everyone is super bitchy, cause no matter where you go, you’ll find assholes. Go in with an open mind and a personality willing to make friends and you should be ok. If you end up at chapman, i can recommend some semi-anarchist groups of people that you will probs love.

drugs/alcohol in the dorms are very strict. otherwise, eh. I mean, don’t be an 18 year old kid drunk off your ass in class, obviously, that’s illegal. but if you live/go off campus, its not so big a deal.

i spent my first semester at chapman as a non-greek affiliated person. most of my friends were greek. I never felt weird about that and i never felt pressured to join. and I felt comfortable with my group of friends. Greek life has more opportunities to make friends because you go to socials and parties or events or whatever. and you have immediate connections. imagine this: You meet a stranger at a party and find out they’re in another sorority, theta for example. You introduce yourself and when you hear their sorority, you can easily say something like “ Oh theta! that’s cool, You know Sarah right? she’s a theta, she was my freshman roommate!” *BOOM* instant connection. and they name someone from your sorority that they know and now you guys have mutual friends and a starting point of your conversation.

I didn’t know a soul when coming to chapman. I turned out ok. You will too.