I need Africa more than Africa needs me

I need Africa more than Africa needs me. There is not one day that goes by where I forget about the friendships that I made with the most amazing people that I have ever met. There is not one day that goes by where I do not feel grateful for the life that I am so blessed to live. Not one day goes by where my heart breaks for the things I saw in Africa. My heart smiles with the things that Africa taught me. 

To Africa, I am just another visitor to Malawi's broken land. I am just another "azungo" [white person] who came across seas in hopes to save lives. Though I loved so hard in this place where love is rarely shown, to Africa, my story is just a dent in this chipped away picture. I can only think is there a day that goes by where Africa remembers me?

I went to Malawi, Africa, the most HIV/AIDS infested country in the world, with a missions group from my high school in the spring of 2007. It was my heart to aid in the support of HIV/AIDS. I held faultless babies that had this disease, I saw the innocence in their eyes. I played and hugged and loved children who were left on the streets by their parents for death. I went deep into the "brush" to teach and pray for these communities that had been out-casted because of their disease. I have danced in the the middle of 500 people from different tribes. I have never had a better time in my life. I have taken some hard soccer balls to the face, those kids know how to play! It was all worth it for a smile for even a small moment.

I took a suitcase there, and took a heavy heart full of memories home. Africa taught me so much about myself and my heart. Without Malawi, the is no me, there is no heart... I am so blessed to live the life that God specifically chose for me. Why me? Why not Blessings, this little precious baby who was infected with HIV/AIDS, that I held and cried over for hours. Why couldn't she live my life? She is more worthy than I am. 

Africa has taught me to not take any moment for granted. I have taught Africa that there is love in America and there is a heart to serve. My lesson learned was far more valuable than I could ever teach Malawi.

 I will go back to this land that has taught me everything.

Cafe' Sevilla

Café Sevilla

Breanna Armstrong

 

 

Café’ Sevilla can be found in the heart of Riverside, providing a Spanish dinning experience that one could only find deep in the liveliness of Mexico. The elegant café has been open since 1987, and was dedicated to provide the most authentic Spanish cuisine around. Sevilla’s menu is award winning and their friendly service creates an enjoyable time that keeps their customers coming back.

 

Seven nights a week, Café Sevilla, also provides music entertainment to be enjoyed after a meal or if one is just wanting to enjoy the excitement of live music from local musicians and Disk Jockeys. Sevilla has been the heartbeat of Riverside’s entertainment since it opened in 1992.

 

With their distinctive musical artists, the ambiance of their luxurious surroundings and the warm welcoming of their employees, it is no doubt that this is a hotspot of Riverside.

 

The best part about this hotspot is that it is located 10 minutes from California Baptist University. Located off the University exit, the café’s address is:

3252 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA 92507

 

For more information on Café Sevilla call: (951) 778-0611

 Sevilla is the place to get dressed up and to get away from campus for a few hours. It has an amazing atmosphere that has made me a regular to this hotspot since I found it last year. It's in a nice part of town and a good time there is always guaranteed. I definitely recommend it. Contact me on my blog for any further questions.

Beat the boredom and get to know Riverside!

Love Like This

For our journalism midterm the promt requires us to write about our passions. When I think of what I am passionate about, my mind is pretty much swamped with things that I love and appreciate. In all things that I do I am passionate in them. But when I really dig deep to find my most prized joy in life I realized that it is my love for my family.

Today is a very exciting day for my family. It is my sister's engagement party! She has been dating the man of her dreams for 7 years now. And he has become like a brother to me. So this party will be a very special and long anticipated day for both Rachel and Chad.

Rachel and Chad met in Jr. High and High school. We all went to the same little private school together and Rachel took an interest to Chad, who was a grade older, when she was in 8th grade. I remember her coming home and telling me how much she liked this boy.

After 2 years of Rachel's secret crush on him, and after attending a prom with his older brother, Todd just to grab Chad's attention, Chad finally asked Rachel out. Not to mention that he asked her out the day that she got her braces off.

When I first met this boy that made my sister act all funny, he had his ears pierced and had bleach blonde hair. I was impressed... my parents, not so much.

Rachel and Chad grew up together. And as they grew up they grew together. They learned together. When he was struggling, she was with him, routing for his every step and his every move on the side lines. When she would struggle, he was the only one who could ever talk her through the storm. They went through many beginnings together, beginnings that make a person who they are. They are those beginnings that have made them same. Because without Chad, there is no Rachel. And without Rachel, there is no Chad. You see my two heros are geeting married on July 11th, to take on the next series of beginnings together. This engagement represents a seal that they will forever be togther. Their love is an example to all who come into community with them . It is a supported love, a right love and a genuine, once in a lifetime love.

Today my parents handed me a letter to read in front of the entire famil and Chad. I opend it and saw that it was an invitation for Rachel and Chad to have their wedding at the St. Regis in Laguna Beach. I made the public announcement of their matramony site that will forever bond them in a covenant of love.

Van Buren Drive-In

The Van Buren Drive-In movie theatre is another Riverside Hotspot to join the list. It is Southern California’s largest operating Drive-in. Here one can sit back in the comfort of a car and watch as their favorite movie plays upon the big screen. It makes for a truly authentic, straight from the movie Grease, moment.

It has 3 screens (each lit with a double-feature), 
and an overall capacity to park up to 1500 cars. The Van Buren drive-in is open year-round and provides movie audio with FM-stereo radio broadcasts.

The admission: $5 for ages 12 & up and for 11 & under free. And during the weekends this historic drive-in theatre holds the Flea Market Swap Meet here as well.

The best part about this week’s hotspot is that it is just 3 minutes from California Baptist University’s campus at 3035 Van Buren Blvd. To contact the Van Buren Drive-in call 951-688-2360.

This is one of my favorite places to go in Riverside. A bunch of my girlfriends and I all get together and dress in our pj's and make a fun night out of it. We love it! Also, let's be honest, it is a great new idea for dates. I mean girls love the old fashion feeling, and men just love movies period. 

So what are you waiting for? Grab some of your favorite snacks, some pillows and blankets and head down one exit to enjoy the newest movie in a new way!

The Riverside Plaza

The Riverside Plaza is full with fun stores and restaurants that are appealing to everyone. Here you can grab some frozen yogurt from the new Cherry On Top and enjoy a movie at the Regal movie theatre right across the way. The venue offers a convenient and intimate setting to make you feel like you are at your hometown’s main street.

 

And another plus about this site is that it is only five minutes up magnolia from CBU. For more information on the Riverside Plaza, check out the website at: www.shopriversideplaza.com

[phone] 951.683.1066
[fax] 951.781.7985

[address]
Riverside Plaza, Suite 200 
3545 Central Ave
Riverside, CA 92506

[email]
info@shopriversideplaza.com

Beat the boredom and get to know Riverside!

Riverside Hotspots

Are you new to the Riverside area? When you look outside of your dorm room window do you either see a parking lot with heat sizzling off of it or a patch of grass growing frivolously in the Riverside sun? If you answered yes then you are probably thinking, “What do people do around here!?” I was once in this very situation just a year ago as a new freshman at CBU and a new comer to Riverside. I was determined to beat the boredom of the Inland Empire and I set out on a search to find the “Hot Spots” of Riverside, California.

 

After much research and many interesting and not so interesting encounters, I finally devised a list that not even the entertainment book could come up with. Luckily for you, the bored CBU student, it is found here on my blog and on page 8 of the Banner Newspaper.

 

I will be covering not only nightlife but activities to do during the day as well. You will be recommended to restaurants, entertainment venues, activity centers, theme parks and local hot spots that can keep you preoccupied during your stay here. I hope you enjoy! 

On this blog you will be able to find full profiles on the hottest spots around CBU. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. Beat the boredom and get to know riverside!

Writing More Than Words

Well as of now the people who are reading this know full well that I am on the Banner Newspaper staff at California Baptist University in Riverside, California.

I love writing, it plays such a huge part in my life and it always has. I have been writing stories and poetry since I was in elementary school. Last year,  I wrote, illustrated and published my own story and poetry book for all ages called, Secrets of a Healing Heart. This book has been one of my biggest accomplishments in my life so far. It not only captured my passion for the arts but it helped me get through the toughest time in my life. 

I had lost my grandma my freshmen year of high school. She lived with my all of my life and she practically raised me. She was my hero, my inspiration and the start and ending to my smile. Losing her was like losing a part of my heart, that part in which I have never fully gotten back. 

The wounds were still fresh my senior year of high school. And when the time came to excel for our senior projects, I took it upon myself to not only make this a project worth receiving my high school diploma for, but to make this a project that will benefit me then and in the future. Months and months laster, with no training at all in authorship, my book was finished. My heart was at rest and I could finally come to love and appreciate my passion for writing again through other's positive feedbacks. 

Having someone appreciate and relate to my work is my number one goal as a writer. With out a doubt in each piece this is what I strive to do. 

I have won three Creative Communication National Poetry contests, and had all three of those poems published in the Anthology: A Celebration of Young Poets.  

On the Banner staff at CBU, I am currently the senior writer. Writing for this newspaper has given me so many opportunities as a journalist. I have interviewed some amazing people and covered some capturing stories.

I started working for the banner last summer, August 2007. I was originally on the Angelos Yearbook and wrote for the Banner, when needed. The third week of working for the newspaper, I was assigned an off camera broadcasting interview with Pastor Rick Warren, Who just made the cover of Time magazine and  hosted the Civil Presidential Forum in August. 

I was traumatized! Here I am, this little freshmen girl wearing this red L.A.M.B. sweater with my press pass hung around my neck, my reading glasses on and my notebook full of questions faithfully at my side, while awaiting for this celebrity to enter the room full of cameras and professionals. 

Just as I was going over the questions I was about to ask in my head for the 100th time, in walks in Pastor Rick Warren with his entourage and a huge smile on his face. He came right up to me, shook my hand and introduced himself. My lip was quivering. After I introduced my self, we began talking about where I was from and what church I went to. And how I lived a few cities away from his church and how he started a youth branch at my city's High School. We were laughing and I immediately became very comfortable with the situation. It was really neat being able to see this public icon in a personable light.

We began our interview and he answered everyone of my questions with "text book" answers. After the interview was over he gave me a hug and told me that I had done a very good job. I was on cloud nine and was still smiling when I went to sleep that night. I was truly a journalist.

Covering Rick Warren as my first feature article ever, launched me into the world of journalism in which I have come to love so much.