Claire's Blog Spot

Cool Couscous Salad

2009-02-23T22:49:00.000-08:00

I made this today for me and some of my housemates. They all loved it. My favorite part is the dressing. Grab a lemon and squeeze!
Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee of Food Network

Prep Time:30 min
Cook Time:10 min
Serves:
4 to 6 servings

Ingredients
1 (10-ounce) box instant couscous
6 ounces marinated artichoke heart quarters - drain and reserve liquid
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
3 scallions, thinly sliced on a diagonal
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into large dice
1/2 cup loosely packed mint leaves, roughly torn
1 store bought roast chicken
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper

Directions
Make the couscous according to the directions. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Transfer the couscous to a large bowl and let cool.

To the couscous, add the artichoke quarters, cherry tomatoes, scallion, chickpeas, cucumber and mint.

Remove the breasts from the roast chicken - reserve the rest of the chicken for another use. Remove skin and cut the breasts into small pieces. Add the chicken to the couscous.

In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved lemon juice, olive oil and the reserved artichoke liquid. Season with salt, pepper, and a little cayenne pepper, to taste. Pour this dressing over the couscous mixture and toss lightly to combine.

Coconut Mango Chicken with Black Beans

2009-01-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

I clipped out this recipe from Rachel Ray's summer 2008 magazine. Have not made it yet but it sounds amazing!

Serves: 4 Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min

INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into strips
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup coconut milk
1 mango, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Salt and pepper
two 15 ounce cans black beans, rinsed
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped mint

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add chicken and cook, turing once, until browned, about 3 minutes. Add coriander and stir for about 30 seconds. Add chicken broth, lower heat and simmer for 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits; transfer to plate. Add coconut milk to skillet, increase heat and boil to reduce by half about 4 minutes. Stir in mango and cook until warmed through. Return chicken to the skillet, toss and remove from heat; season with salt and pepper.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, simmer black beans over low heat. Stir in lime juice and 3 tablespoons mint.
3. Divide beans among 4 plates. Top with the chicken and remaining mint.

Oatmeal Chocolate Coconut Chewy Cookies

2009-01-03T15:10:00.000-08:00

Here is a wonderful cookie recipe that I have made for many parties and received great reviews. The recipe will yield more than 30 servings if you make the rounds small. I found this recipe at http://allrecipes.com/.

HAPPY BAKING!

INGREDIENTS: Yields: 30 servings
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the milk and vanilla.
Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture until well blended.
Stir in the oats, chocolate chips. walnuts and coconut until evenly distributed.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Medium to small rounds are perfect.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven for a chewy cookie or 14 minutes for a firmer cookie.
4. Cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheet and then remove to wire rack. Cool completely and then store in sealed container.

Red Line Runway Show

2007-09-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

Biola circa 1908 In Los Angeles, circa Hope and 6th street The founders they decided “a school we must found, And maybe in a hundred years they’ll still be around” We are.

So we had Lyman Stewart, and RA Torrey you know And TC Horton, he was great but his wife ran the show And things they were growing, as God was on their side But if you were a guy with long hair they wouldn’t let you apply
The decades they went passing one by one by one The school was getting bigger so they turned to Sam Sutherland He said “Now we’ve found a few acres, in the fields of La Mirada, It’s a big open place to expand our school and complaints, well I’ve got nada” Nothing.

It’s here we met Bob and Betty, and Ron Hafer, what a pal And the giant Jesus mural, well, he watches over the café Things are better than ever, due to Dr. Cooks awesome reign, But now my friends, it’s time to board the Dr. Corey Train. Tickets please.

So happy year one hundred dear school that we love We like your new ID cards and the renovated SUB And welcome to the redline, and the end of my song So Biola here’s to another hundred strong. Good years.

Written by Josh, the run way show emcee

limón y sal

2007-07-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

Tengo que confesar que a veces
no me gusta tu forma de ser
luego te me desapareces y no entiendo muy bien por qué
no dices nada romántico cuando llega el atardecer te pones de un humor extraño con cada luna llena al mes.

Pero a a todo lo demás le gana lo bueno que me das sólo tenerte cerca siento que vuelvo a empezar.

CORO:
Yo te quiero con limón y sal, yo te quiero tal y como estás,
no hace falta cambiarte nada,
yo te quiero si vienes o si vas,
si subes y bajas y
no estás seguro de lo que sientes.

Tengo que confesarte ahora
nunca creí en la felicidad
a veces algo se le parece, pero
es pura casualidad.

Luego me vengo a encontrar con tus ojos y me dan algo más
solo tenerte cerca siento
que vuelvo a empezar.

CORO

Solo tenerte cerca
siento que vuelvo a empezar....

processing the spring semester...

2007-05-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

The first advertisement I remember reading about the Latin American Studies Program (LASP) began as follows, “Your showers will be cold and your clothes hot and sweaty…” You would think that this would be a real turn off to signing up but instead it challenged me to leave my comfort zone and go where I felt God was calling me to serve and study. Choosing to participate in LASP is more than just an opportunity to study abroad, it is immersing yourself into cultures so diverse from your own and learning that outside of your comfort zone there is a world of discomfort that you can make a positive impact on. I signed up and began an adventure that was to be more than just completing my Spanish minor; it was a life enhancing experience that will be forever in my heart, mind and soul.
Unlike most other study abroad programs we lived with host families in every country we visited. During the semester we stayed with our primary host family in Costa Rica but made side trips to Nicaragua, Panama and Guatemala where each one of us was housed with a local family. Each host family shared themselves openly with me giving me a perspective on their lives and culture that few people get to experience. Part of the immersion experience is to participate fully with your host family as if you were truly a member of their family. Significant to this immersion is of course speaking only in Spanish! The host families are instructed not to use English but to encourage their host son or daughter to think, speak and live in Spanish. As you can imagine this at times was more than a brain could take, but in no time I found my Spanish going to a whole new level and communication with my host families got easier and more natural. Not only could I maintain a level of conversation to accomplish tasks but now I could fully participate in dialogues where ideas, hopes and dreams were shared. Much to my surprise my Costa Rican host family could understand and speak English very well but they admonished me to speak only Spanish and kept me focused on improving my language skills everyday by pretending they didn’t know what I was saying if I slipped into English.
Each one of my host families contributed immensely to improving my Spanish along with helping me to understand their cultures and the critical issues they face daily. Several of the families I lived with were challenged economically and each day was met with faith that God would provide for their needs. These families welcomed me into their homes and they did not hesitate to share the little that they had with me. Their faith and hospitality was sometimes so overwhelming that it made my heart rejoice and ache at the same time.
The education gained from this type of study abroad program is immeasurable, not just from the academic stand point but from the interpersonal relationships that are forged by staying with families and living their daily lives with them, seeing the world through their eyes, ears and stomachs and wondering how I can make a difference. How can a North American Christian journalist like myself take what I have lived and seen in Latin America and make a difference not only in my world but in the lives of those in Latin America? I am much more empathetic now; my comfort zone has been stretched, pulled and broadened. I have a deeper understanding for the problems that Latin America faces and for how I will respond as a citizen of the Kingdom and of the world. I am open to God’s leading as I continue my journalism studies and excited to see how he will use this study abroad experience to further his kingdom.

Claire Scholl
EagleVision News Team-- Latin American Correspondent
www.biola.edu/eaglevision

freedom

2007-05-04T11:12:00.000-07:00

I am getting so tired of just lying in bed all day! Kelly Charest decorated my cast with tons of plumerias, a sunset and island and a shooting star! So my cast is beautiful thanks to her! Yesterday I drove in my car for the first time since I have been back, it felt wonderful! I even have a handicap placard to hang in my rearview mirror. People stared at me when I pulled into the handicapped parking spots, but then they saw me get out and hopefully stopped judging me.

This weekend is going to be very busy. Aana is graduating from Westmont and then she is having a party. I am excited to see some old friends at this party. Sunday I am having my party, just kinda like a welcome back home thing. Not to big but it will be fun to kinda have a first bbq of the summer!

I miss all my friends from LASP so much. We have talked about a reunion but I want it to actually happen. Like really where could we all meet?

I might have a job working for a friend from church, please pray for me that this goes through!

Love you all!

Clara

back in the USA...

2007-04-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone from the comfort of my own bed! I am back in North America 6 days earlier than expected. While on my service project in Guatemala, I fell off the monkey bars (yes you read it correctly, the monkey bars) and rolled my ankle really bad. My ankle swelled up so fast it looked like I had an apple attached to it. In one of the pictures you can see my ankle. I went to a hospital in Guatemala City to get x-rays, they said I needed surgery but I would not be able to leave the hospital for a few days after and our program is heading to Miami today, so I would have missed that. I did this on Saturday and flew home on Sunday.

Needless to say, I am feeling a mixture of emotions as I am back home. I am so sad to have left my friends at LASP so early, I am in pain because of my ankle, I miss Latin America a lot but yet I am very happy to be living in North America where the air is so much fresher and life is a bit safer. So I am going through this time processing what I have learned and how to function with a casted leg.

I have never had a cast or crutches in my life so I am kinda wabbley and need help doing everything.

But before all this happened I had a wonderful time in Guatemala. It was hard leaving my family in Costa Rica, but I have emails and home addresses to write all of them. When we arrived in Guatemala we stayed at a Christian Theological seminary. We had charlas (seminars) with the party leader for Rigoberta Menchu's party. She is currently in third place for president of Guatemala. She is indigenous and 85% of the country is like her, but during my service project I talked to many non-indigenous and they said they would not vote for her because she does not represent the whole country.

My service project was at a NGO called Patronato Pro Nutricional Infantil. They weigh and measure kids under 6 years old, monitoring their growth and weight. They also provide lessons to mothers about nutrition and health. During our time there we made galletas (cookies) that are vitamin and fat packed. They actually taste pretty good and we made over a thousand of these galletas. In one of the photos you can see me pounding out the rounds.

These past four months have been truly amazing and I will always think of it as my best semester. I encourage everyone to study abroad if you still have time to do it. I enjoyed being in Latin America and not being labeled a tourist. I felt that being a student in someone else's country humbled me because I was there to understand and learn what realities Latin American's are faced with.

One of the other pictures is of me and my sisters in Costa Rica on my last night at the house. I love those girls so much.

This will be my last letter to you all. Thanks for reading and sending notes back to me. Feel free to ask me questions about what I experienced. I have over 600 photos and I would love to show all of them to you. Thanks again for allowing me to share these four months with you! Have a great week!!!

--- Clara

Last day in Costa Rica....

2007-04-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

Hola familia y amigos!
This is my last update to you from Costa Rica. This whole semester has gone by pretty fast actually. I am in disbelief that we are leaving for Guatemala tomorrow.

Anyway since the last letter a few things have happened. Easter Sunday was very relaxing. We had Chinese take out for lunch/dinner and we rented a movie. So this was an interesting experience out of my normal North American Easter day. What I missed most was saying "Happy Easter" to people.

The weather has become so different. I love that it rains in the late afternoon. I have had language class everyday and we had our final exam and I a 94%. The test was on using the subjunctive and I am just so proud of myself. My Profesora was very proud too. We also did more group presentations and my group focused on the power language has to oppress and liberate people. We each had different roles and I played a prostitute who had to sleep with men to fed my family. I bought some clothes at a thrift store and really got into my part. When I came home with my clothes I asked my Tica mom to help me cut the skirt and shirt. And my Tico dad looked at me funny and I said "sorry this is my new profession." He said, "well that's great. you will be able to pay for university." I was surprised to hear this joke come out of him. But this just shows, I think, how closed me and this family have gotten. I will miss them so much.

After our presentations, the students in my concentration had to go back to the language institute for an Oral Proficiency Exam. This is like official business. We get a certificate with what level our Spanish is at and we can show it to employers. I am very excited about this because I think I did well.

We had Guatemala Orientation and I will be working for an organization that works to bring nutrition back to poor infants and children. I will be staying in Guatemala City with 4 other students painting and doing manual labor for this non-profit.

Last night was my "despeida" fiesta. We had Henry and Laura (friends from church) come over and we had toastadas and flan de coco! I was in heaven, no rice!! My Tico dad sad really nice things to me about how I will always be a part of the family, that they will miss me and never forget me. I started to cry and could only mutter a "mil gracias por todo."

Well that is is until after Guatemala and Miami. Thanks for sharing in this journey with me, I have appreciated all your encouragement and little notes trough the semester. Have a great week!

Clara

Lenguaje y Literatura

2007-04-04T16:33:00.000-07:00

Now it is April in Costa Rica and like clock work the season is changing. Since April first it had either sprinkled or rained. Today, actually right now, it is pouring rain with thunder and lightening. I love it!!

Since we got back from Panama we have started more language class and have been having charlas (seminars) over various topics within the subject of "Los Excluidos". We have had discussions with prostitutes who are living in a rehab type of house. we heard their stories and got to share a meal with them. Then we talked to a group in a really poor area of San Jose about their ministry. Then we visited another ministry that works with children in the street. They provide Bible studies and assistance to the families of these children. The this week we talked to a woman about "machismo" and women in Latin America. The last charla was about homosexuality and we talked with a guy who organized a group for gay Christians in San Jose. Many of these topics are hard to talk and see while others are topics that pose more questions then answers. Everyday we have 2 hour grammar class with a wonderful professor, Doña Elly. Today was our last day of class this week because of Semana Santa. Much of San Jose shuts down today and for the rest of the week. My Tico family normally goes to visit other family but they decided not to this year. So I think for Easter we will just be hanging around San Jose. Which is good because I have homework and a large project.

A story I would like to share is about a song I learned back in my sophomore year of high school on a mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico. It is called "Tenemos tanto" (we have a lot). It is a fun song with simple words all in Spanish and cool hand movements. I learned it from a wonderful lady named Anahi who was the music minister at the church we worked at during the trip. Many know her story but for those that do not I will give it to you in a nutshell. She was very sick in Mexico and one of the parents, Bob Samario, on the trip made a great connection with her, brought her across the boarder by the grace of God, had her live at his house and he helped her get better. Well she had a heart problem and after awhile got a new heart and live longer then expected. But she died back in 2006. Ok how she relates to me right now is amazing.

In every community we visit we are expected to teach songs and games to the kids of the churches. Since "Tenemos tanto" is such a cool and easy song I have been spreading this song throughout Latin America. I taught the song in Wapy, Nicaragua, in Kuna Yala, Panama, in Costa Rica with the kids in the street ministry and hopefully with the church I meet in Guatemala in one week. Thus, the Anahi is still living through this song I believe and I think of her smile every time I am teaching this song and then I see the smile on the kids faces and thank God for her being in my life. The most recent time we did this song was with the kids in the street and I shared this same story with my classmates and professors and I just burst into tears. I am just so happy to be using this song to remember Anahi and see other kids sing the song with smiles. In every country I shared the song, the music leader of the church has asked me to write down the words and hand motions. This has meant so much to me and I know Bob and those who knew Anahi will be blessed by reading this.

This week I went to a Saprissa soccer game with my sister and Tico dad. Saprissa is the San Jose team, unfortunately there were no goals but it was fun to see how much pride Ticos have for their futbol teams. Easter is my last Sunday in Costa Rica. Sunday April 15th we all leave for Guatemala for 2 weeks doing service projects. I hope everyone has a blessed Easter and a restful Easter break for those that get one! See you this month!!

Claire Scholl
EagleVision News Team-- Latin American Correspondent
www.biola.edu/eaglevision

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Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:13- The Message

And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. 1 Timothy 4:12- The Message

Ice Cream!

2007-03-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

The best ice cream shop ever! I love lavender ice cream!!!

Allie, me, Tiffany and Amanda

The Panama Canal!

2007-03-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

all the qirls with our favorite cook!

2007-03-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

Kate, Amanda, Marlena, Heather, Allie y Clara

LASP Students in Kuna Yala with our Kuna amigas!

2007-03-22T16:15:00.000-07:00

Back from Panama!

2007-03-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been an amazing 2 weeks out of Costa Rica! First we ended core seminar portion of the semester. Now we are moving into our concentrations. I got to spend time in Panama and with the indigenous of Kuna Yala. The attached photo is of the group of us and our Kuna friends wearing traditional molas. See if you can find me! The second is of my Kuna mother and my house. We spent a day and a half in Panama City seeing the old part and ruins of a cathedral. We stayed in a Hotel during this time. Panama is known as the Miami of Latin America, so if you can imagine there is a lot of life and culture there. Although there a lot of North American influences, Panama City is fun. What I really noticed was the public buses. There were all the same bus but they had art wort all over with music and flashing lights on the inside. The best word I could use is "pimped" out! We never got to ride these buses because we had our own driver for our time there.

The night before we left for our homestays in the San Blas, we had a wonderful Chinese dinner. I had chicken curry chow mein. I loved it so much! To get to Panama from San Jose you have to take an 18 hour bus ride. We left San Jose at 1pm and arrived at our hotel at 5:30 am the next day. It was brutal to say the least. Ok so now lets move on the the stay with the Kunas. Nuedi! is what you will say to greet your new Kuna friends. Many of the people spoke Spanish as a second language. So we had something in common from the start...Spanish is our second language! In my family only the father and some of the sisters spoke Spanish. My mother only spoke Kuna. To get to this island we had to take a poodle jumper plane and fortunately they had recently built an airport so we got to land on the island. Then took a canoe ride to our part of the island where the water is turquoise and the palm tress are heavy with coconuts. Food on the island consisted of plantain soup, avocados, hot dogs, bread, fresh fish, a wonderful hot chocolate drink, lobster and more plantains! One day for lunch the whole group was invited over for food at one lady's house. She made us this five start lobster and crab soup. It was hearty enough to be a winter soup but we had in the middle of humid 90 degree weather! For flavor there was shredded coconut in it. I loved it so much! I did not get sick at all while I was there, I am so thankful.

During our stay we played with kids, took a canoe ride to a river and saw the cemetery for the Kuna people. We went to the local congress and saw two being reprimanded for steal someone's coconuts. Every where in Panama they use dollars but on the island the use coconuts also. One coconut equals 10 cents. It was neat to see people buy things with coconuts. You would think that being surrounded by water there would be beaches but here there is only one area of white sand, which is not even very big. I was so happy to go swimming that day. The water was turquoise and so refreshing. For church on Sunday they had a different style to their service. In the morning was Sunday school for all the kids. All of us students visiting where the leaders for the service. We organized games and songs and even a little skit. Then at night was the regular service. It was in both Kuna and Spanish. Sunday was our last night and when the pastor started to share his thanks for us being there he started to cry and he said that the community will never forget us. This brought all of us to tears too.

We left the island on Monday and it was very hard to leave my family there. We had created a great connection even though I could not speak their own language. My family gave me a beautiful mola in a frame. I will never forget my life with the Kunas.

Once back in Panama at the same hotel we did a lice treatment wash and sent out again to tour the city. What a quick transition from island to city. So crazy! We were all craving something cold after the hot island so we found this wonderful French ice cream shop. They had amazing flavors such as earl gray, pineapple, basil, honey and many more. I got the lavender flavor and it tasted just like a field of French lavender. I also had a taste of the basil ice cream and it was wonderful too. For dinner that night we went to a an Italian place. Me and my friends shared our meals. We had a pesto and spinach fest, yummmmy!!! The next day we visited the canal at the Miraflores locks. We saw 3 huge boats passing through the canal and walked through the museum. I liked being the canal. There is so much history there. My father in Kuna Yala even worked on the canal. After we went to this huge mall called Albrook and had a typical Panamanian lunch (not much to write home about). Then we went to a market full of indigenous stuff. I bought some molas and things. Then we went to dinner at an Indian place and I had coconut shrimp curry. I went through so many food cultural experiences. That night we got back on the bus to San Jose for another 18 hours of my life sitting on the bus. This time it was worse. I am so glad to be back with my Costa Rica family.

I only have 3 weeks left in San Jose then 2 weeks in Guatemala, then one week in Miami and home eon April 27th. Start the countdown! lol Alright folks thanks so much for reading this far down! I am really excited to share more with you all when I am home!!

Love always,

Clara Marina

mac people are the coolest!

2007-03-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

andrea, allison and me in the LASP office!

My Tico Family!

2007-03-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

Chilling.....

2007-03-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I have finished my big paper for the semester and tomorrow we have group presentations tomorrow. Thank you for the prayers during that time! I did eleven pages about the Latin American Film Industry in Spanish.

This week has been very relaxing, not much homework so I have really appreciated this down time. Since I have not had much to do when I get home at night me and my host mom have had some great conversations. We about things ranging from family life to tattoos. I really value this time we spend together because one we are talking in Spanish so I am learning and two we are building a great friendship. My family here is very quite and as I have said before I am outgoing and like to joke. I have always been myself while I am here but I feel now that the family is starting to get my humor and laugh together a little more.

Spring break starts this Friday and ends on Monday the 12th. So technically we only have one day of break and then the weekend. My Dad from the USA is here and we will be traveling to Monteverde (zip line and jungle) and then maybe Puntareanas. Since Dad has been here I have had the chance to be a tourist in San Jose for a bit. We took a tour of the Teatro Nacional and the Gold Museum. Both very interesting and fun. On Sunday Dad came to church and then to my house for lunch. My host mom made a great meal, yes I am talking about food again! The desert was the best, she made baked plantains with a brown sugar cream cheese dressing! YUMMY! I wish I could send you all some! Then me and my Dad went to go see Babel.

We are starting concentrations next week. I am in Language and Literature track, there are 12 total in this track. First we will travel to Panama for ten days and live with and indigenous tribe called the Kunas. They live on the islands of Panama. They use U.S. dollars and coconuts for money and live in palm tree huts. And Spanish is their second language so it will be fun to learn some of their native tongue. After living with the Kunas we will tour the Canal and then hop back on the bus for an 18 hour ride back to San Jose.

I am so glad to be done with that paper and moving into our concentrations. The Latin American Studies track gets to spend ten days in Cuba. One girl told me she wants to smoke a Cuban cigar on the beach! I can't wait to hear stories from their experience.

Talk to you all after Panama! Hi Grandma, I love you and thanks for all the cards!
The picture is of me and my friend Angie on the way back from Nicaragua listening to my new reggaeton CDs!!!

Claire Scholl
EagleVision News Team-- Latin American Correspondent
www.biola.edu/eaglevision

Nicaragua

2007-03-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

Buenos dias familia y amigos!

I am back from the campo (the countryside) in Nicaragua. I had such a beautiful experience there. First we had a few day in the capital Managua where we visited historical parks and spoke with a man in the National Assembly. We ate bastante comida (a lot of food) at various restaurants. Next we did a week of homestays all over Nicaragua. I went to a campo town called Wapy. There were no paved roads for about an hour and a half to get to the town. They only had electricity from 5-10pm and no running water. So I took bucket showers all week with freezing water. My family consisted of a mother and her son and daughter. The daughter, Karla, is 6 years old so we instantly became friends, especially when I gave her the pretty hair clips I brought for her. Attached is a picture of her and I. The other photo is of me and the other students that stayed in Wapy. Other groups went to the north of Nicaragua and others to both coastal sides.

During this week we did many fun things. For a service project we painted the Sunday school room with a bright turquoise color, we got to swim in the near by river with all of our clothes on, normally this is a river for bathing and washing clothes, we visited a farm, which was a hike and we would volar la lengua, which means talking. For most of the day we would sit in patio chairs and just talking about various subjects. I really enjoyed this because I got to build a nice relationship with this family. I have many funny stories to share but I will choose just one for this email. I had become sick last Sunday, I had to force my self to vomit, I had horrible stomach pains and the doctor had to come visit me, which only cost 5 dollars by the way, and it was just a bad day. The doctor determined that it was an amoeba in my intestines, so he put me on some pills. So two days later I started to feel almost 100%, and my host mom asked me "are you afraid at all to eat our food now?" and if you know my humorous personality you will understand the way I responded. I said "No I am not scared, I love animals in my stomach!" And the room just fell silent and their faces dropped. :) Then I said oh it was a joke, I am feeling better and then just shoved more food in my mouth. So it was a memorable experience in Wapy.

After the homestays we made our way to Granada a city outside of Managua. It is a colonial city with great old churches and next to a huge lake. We did not get much time here, but I hope to visit again. We stayed at a wonderful hostel that had a pool and real showers. I loved not having to work to make my self clean. Next we traveled back to Managua for a final dinner in Nicaragua. We went to this restaurant called Ola Verde (Green Wave) and it was all food made from organic local farmers. The restaurant was a dream come true after a week of salty and carbo type foods. Oh yeah speaking of foods for lunch one day in Wapy my host mom served me cow brains and we are told to eat everything and yes I did eat them. I stuff a portion in my tortilla with rices and beans and chewed fast! It was literally a whole cow brain in broth! But back to the organic restaurant, we had spinach chicken wraps and a wonderful tomato bisque soup. The owner is a North American and her mission in life is to educate Nicaraguans about organic farming and healthy cooking. This place was just what we needed after our homestays. We took a bus to and from countries, it is a 12 hour ride, so I slept a lot and chatted with friends.

Now back in San Jose for school I have a big paper due Monday on Latin American Cinema. Please pray for me as I go through this. Then tomorrow my Dad is coming to visit for 2 weeks, so I am very excited to show him around. The next portion of my semester will be in our concentrations. I chose Language and Literature. For this part we travel to Panama on March 12th, so soon I know!

Alright, I hope letter this finds everyone wonderful!! I will be back in 2 months! Love you all!

Claire Scholl
EagleVision News Team-- Latin American Correspondent
www.biola.edu/eaglevision

ketchup and mayop

2007-02-05T10:03:00.000-08:00

Hola! So I have been in Costa Rica now for almost a month and I am loving life here. Though there are some struggles life taking the bus everywhere, people smoke everywhere and men whistling at you as they pass.

Anyway, two weekends ago the LASP group went to Limon, which is a province on the Caribbean coast. The weather was very humid and hot. On the bus ride there we stopped at a coffee plantation. I tasted a bean right of the bush and it was kinda bitter. Then we went to a Del Monte banana plantation and saw the whole process from field to shipment. Everyone in the State should be thankful for our bananas because there are some high standards for this fruit. Such as if there is but one brown spot it is labeled as 3rd class and the most aesthetic bananas can be shipped to the U.S. and Europe. We stayed at Hotel Miami in Limon, it was very pleasant to have a change from the daily routine of San Jose.

We got to talk with a women who won teacher of the year and who was a member of the Costa Rican government. English was spoken a lot in Limon so it was great to not think as hard while I speak. Then we went up the road a ways to the indigenous tribe Bri Bri and spoke with a leader of that community. They have an iguana preservation project so we got to see various sizes of iguanas and learn how they are protecting this animal. After that we went to the beach...finally!!! The beach we went to was Playa Cahuita, it was beautiful. The water was turquoise and the sand was tan. I found a whole coconut on the ground and had one of the guys open it. I shared the milk and meat inside, it was so sweet! Saturday night we went dancing at a club for one of the professors birthday! We danced to reggaton so that was lots of fun!! Then on Sunday I went to an Episcopal church and had lunch with some members and their kids. After a long hot weekend in Limon we went back to the city.

On February 2nd we meet with two people from the U.S. Embassy and learned what their jobs looked like and their prospectives on U.S./Latin American relations.

This past weekend me, a bunch of girls from LASP and my 2 host sisters went to the beach in Puntarenas which is on the Pacific coast. It was great. You pick up the bus in San Jose, it lasts for only 2 hours, then we stayed in Hotel Cayuga. Very cheap for 2 nights. Now in Costa Rica it is very common to have ketchup and mayo with your french fries. So here is where I have slipped into the culture even more. It tastes great. they do not have mustard here so the mayo works well. At this beach I got my first sun burn, it is not that bad, but it will work just fine for a base tan! lol

This is my last week of language school and then next Monday we all leave for Nicaragua!

Love you all!!

hello

2007-01-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

tuesday january 23 2007

so since my last letter i have become much more confident with the bus system and how the tico culture works. everyday for the next 3 weeks i will be at language school for 2 classes, grammar and conversation. i have a great teacher, same one for both classes. she reminds me of an abuelita, a little grandma for all you non Spanish speakers. lol some days i have Latin American studies , LASP, classes in the morning which involve a speaker about different topics. a lot of them are political oriented so i struggle sometimes hearing all that stuff. but i am learning a lot about the Costa Rican government and issues.

since i am in the language and literature track every single homework assignment has to be in Spanish. crazy but i am doing and learning so much. i have found some words different than from what i learned, but no to much. ticos do have a different way to talk about future events and things. but i love my family they are so understanding.

last Friday a group of my friends out to dinner at a really gringo place called news cafe, but i loved the name. it was fun people had hamburgers. there is this really greta place to get ice cream called pops there is one on almost every corner, i recommend the coconut. lol yesterday i found a great place to get a chai frappe, it was so good. that will be my weakness as i pass through san jose.

this weekend the group is of the Limon which is on the Caribbean coast. i am so excited to go to the beach finally. dad i bought a sarong and though of you. hahaha bc we can only take a backpack to this trip, so packing will be hard.

well it is getting dark and i must get home, attached are two pics one of me and a group of friends on our 3rd day in CR. the other is of the house i am staying in. it is the salmon pink color one.

ok love to you all. bye.

Buenas tardes!

2007-01-30T09:18:00.001-08:00

wednesday january 10 2007

¡Hola familia y amigos!

I am in Costa Rica now. The flights were very long but God provided some great people to talk with on the plane. We flew into Costa Rica at night se we saw all the beautiful city lights. San Jose is a very colorful city of 2 million people. The weather is everything a Santa Barbarian could ask for, lots of sun, mild temps and clouds that look like they are bursting with rain!

I have meet so many new people and it is safe to say that they are my freinds already. All the LASP students spent the night in a retreat center and had a one day orientation to the Costa Rican culture and how the program will work. We did an activity that asked us to make a collage about the North American culture. Everyone seemed to be cutting out negative and bad images of the USA. So I told my group that we should try to find some positive views of the North. Some students came up to me after and said they apprciated our groups positive outlook. I can see where the direction of this program is wanting to go. On the other hand LASP is wanting us to form our own opinions about issues and that is a valuable trait.

Today we recived our families via a raffle. My host mothers name is Guiselle Machado Tencio. She has a husband and two teen age daughters. I share a room with the oldest who is 16. I have just had a completed a tour of the house. I am writting this on their home computer. They have pretty fast internet! I think these ticos might be well off becasue they have a great phone and alarm system in the house. It has ben a very emotional day full of new information and thinking and speaking in Spanish.

The meals have been pretty large so far, but my host mom said they do not eat large dinners. So I think evreything is going to work great with this family. Tomorrow we have to meet at the Teatro Nacional to do a ¨scavenger hunt¨ type thing around the center of San Jose. The program directors have pretty much left it up to us to figure out the bus systems, banking and other culture elements. However I anticipate the Wards adevice and assistance in this city.

My house is 30 minutes away from the school, in a barrio called Del Pali de Calle Blancos, so I think every morning will be an early one. I apprciate all your prayers and thoughts as I fordge through this new culture.

That is all for now. I am not sure when I can get on her again but maybe every 2 weeks or something....
I really like it here and I have a lot of freinds that are going through the same thing here with me!

I love you all! Have a great weekend!!!

Claire Scholl
EagleVision News Team- Latin America Correspondant
www.biola.edu/eaglevision

day before school!

2007-01-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

sunday january 14 2007

Hello again family and friends,

since my last email many new things have happened. LASP took us to Clinica Biblia to get a health orientation so we may be prapered for what illnesses may come our way. so far i have not gotten sick. i drink straight from the tap because the water is treated. all the food is wonderful. my family, i feel, is not into the same type of meal each day. we have had great sandwiches and fresh fruit drinks. i was prepared to live really scarcely but this family is amazing. my host mother loves to buy new cookbook type magazines and she saves them all. kindas sounds like someone else i know, my real mother. lol

it has been kinda cold actually i wish i brought more jeans and one more sweater, maybe i will do some shopping. :)

Dad, before i forget please email the exacts dates you plan to come because we have to let LASP now, along with my family.

this is my 5th day in CR and i already feel like my Spanish vocabualry has grown. every day i am trying to learn a new phrase to incorperate into my daily dialouge. today i went to church with my family it is called Iglesia el Divino Salvador. it is just like Harvest, lots of great hand-clapping music and Biblical teaching. today there were lots of north americans there so i got to chat with them for a while. one group was students here for 3 weeks from PA and the other was a church group from VA that is like a sister church with the Costa Rican one. ¡the church is alive and well in CR!

i am feeling more and more connected with the family. i bought some shampoo and stuff and put in the shower so i dont have to keep hauling my toiletry bag in and out of the shower. it is the little things in life that make you feel at home. also i had a homework assignment to interview my family about various things. i learned about their educational background, what they like to do in their free time and that the U.S. government is not generally liked in CR.

something more on the funny side, they way ticos great each other is by a kiss on the check. can you see where this is going? well even if you have just met the person you do it anyway. so these guys from the youth group came over to the house and of course greeted me with a kiss on the check. 2 of the 3 were cute but i can assure there will be no amor during this semester! do you guys think we could implement this custom in the U.S.?

so it is the day before school and i am very nervous to take the bus. my parents have been through the routs with me once but i am still very unsure about the stops and waht not. so please pray for me and the bus system. i am sure i will become more familar with it as the days go but right now i have butterflies in my tummy.

thank you all for your nice emails from the last letter! hope you all have awonderful week!

love from costa rica,
clara

3 days left...

2007-01-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

Here is my mailing address while in Costa Rica....

Claire Scholl
Latin American Studies Program
Apdo. 54-2070
Sabanilla, Montes de Oca
San Jose, Costa Rica

The program recommends that packages are not sent becuase they will get
stolen in the mail. But letters are wonderful I suppose!

I have begun packing today. I am bringing only one large suitcase, a small duffle and then my new back pack. So in a sense I will be traveling light for a four month trip!

I leave in 3 days and I am getting very excited! Thank you for your continued prayer! Have a happy new year!

HOLA

2006-12-02T10:06:00.000-08:00

Hola familia y amigos, I just want to let you all know that I have been accepted into the Latin American Study Abroad program for the spring 2007 semester. I am very excited to travel and experience a new culture.

I know this opportunity is a huge blessing from God and I would like to ask you all to start praying for this semester abroad. Please especially pray for the family that I will be living with while I am in Costa Rica. That God will prepare our hearts for this time. Pray for the people I will come in contact with that may not be Christians and that I can be an example of Christ to them. Pray for the professors and other students that are attending the program that we are safe and gain new perspectives about the Latin American culture. Lastly, that God would refresh my faith so that I can better minster to the Spanish speaking community in America and draw closer to God.

I will be leaving January 9 and returning April 29th. I will try to keep an email list and send out reports of how the semester is going. If you would like to be on the email list let me know. All of you who are getting this note have been instrumental in the study abroad process one way or another. I greatly appreciate your help and encouragement.

Thanks for your prayers and love! Have a great day!

Claire Scholl
EagleVision Co-Producer
www.biola.edu/eaglevision

Biola Sports Report 5-19-06

2006-05-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

The Biola Sports Report…

The Biola baseball team ended their season in Riverside on the campus of Cal Baptist at the NAIA Region II tournament as they fell to Concordia University for the second time, in the Championship game by the score of 8-7. Chris Weems blasted a two-run homerun in the bottom of the ninth inning to bring Biola within one point. When trailing 8-4 in the eighth inning Biola went on a run, scoring two runs early but the run was halted by a controversial call that resulted in several players and two coaches being ejected. Jimmy Johnson got the start for Biola and went four innings, allowing three runs on six hits to record the loss before Garet Hill came in and pitched the next inning, allowing two more runs. David Mirabal led the Eagle offense as he went 3-5 including his third homerun of the season. Eagles finish second in GSAC and ninth in NAIA. Several players were named to the all GSAC team including Dietzen, Weems, Hill and Hawkins Gebbers.

In softball action on Tuesday the lady eagles closed out their season with a tough game against Concordia. GSAC All-Team, Amera Kesterson finished an amazing year with a 2-2 performance giving her the Biola record for hits a season with 78. Kesterson found her way into other record categories with ten homeruns and 16 triples where she tied for the NAIA record. Katie Gustaveson got the start for Biola and went 4.2 innings, allowing six runs, two earned, on four hits to record the loss. Tatiana Garcia came in a pitched the final two innings shutting out Concordia, only allowing two hits the rest of the way. Final score was 6 to 3.

Intramurals finished Wednesday night with the basketball championships. Winner’s included G-Unit over Mama’s boys with a score of forty-nine to twenty-eight in the B league. Over in the A league United beat Holy Fire by thirty-one points and in the women’s bracket Back Again defeated Senoritas forty-nine to eighteen.
Softball champions are SouthTown Stingrays in the A league and in the B League The Trop also received a championship.
Lastly, bragging rights went to Hope FC soccer team over AC Torrey as the game ended in a tie allowing for penalty kicks to decide the winner. Congratulations to all teams for a successful season!

Finally, Dorm competitions ended on Wednesday with a rousing game of capture the flag. Stewart came out with the victory receiving sweet t-shirts and dorm pride!

That’s it for sports news; make sure to tune in next semester for more extensive sports reporting covering all your favorite teams from Biola to professional. Have a great summer!

Entertainment News 5-8-06

2006-05-08T00:14:00.000-07:00

Since Meredith Viera has filled Katie Couric’s spot on the today show, there has been a vacancy on the view and it did not take long for Barbara Walters to ask long time friend Rosie O’Donnell to fill this position on daytime TV. O’Donnell was a frequent guest on the show and the deal — in which O'Donnell agreed to join "The View" for at least a year, not only as a co-host but also in Ms. Vieira's role as moderator. Critics say by mere presence Ms. O'Donnell is expected to alter the tone and chemistry of The View by her outspokenness about the Iraq war and specifically her delivery of views with tough and blunt statements.

Actor Kiefer Sutherland of hit TV Show, 24, has announced plans for a movie version of the series to be filmed in Britain. He credits much of the shows rapid success to the English. Sutherland has starred in the Fox TV show for five series and is reported to have signed up for three more.

In American Idol news, the four finalists visited Graceland on Saturday. The Presley’s and the finalists were at the rock legend’s home to shoot the TV show’s next installment with an Elvis theme and a critique by music producer Tommy Mottola.

With the birth of Tom Cruise and Kate Holmes’ baby girl, Suri, there have been no photos published of the baby for public viewing. But rumors are circulating that Cruise may sell photos to OK! Magazine for one million dollars and then give the money to charity. As one may guess the paparazzi are having a field day trying to get the first snapshot of the baby.

Movies topping the weekend box office include Mission Impossible 3 with forty-eight million, R.V. with eleven point one million and lastly suspense film An American Haunting with six point thirty-eight million.

That’s it for your entertainment news, have a great week!

News 5-3-06

2006-05-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is your news…

At midnight Tuesday, the African union extended the deadline for a peace pact aimed at resolving violence in Sudan’s Darfur region, where rebel groups have claimed thousands of lives. The extension comes after the United Sates, Britain and Libya pressed the Sudanese government to reach a compromise. Although rebel groups want regional autonomy and more power in central government the Sudanese agree with this peace movement.

Out of the Middle East on Tuesday came a statement from Iran saying that if they are attacked by the United States, Israel will be it’s first target. This reaffirms the Iranian president’s call for Israel to be wiped off the map. President Bush has said a military option remains on the table if Iran does not agree to international demands for it to stop enriching uranium and open its nuclear program to inspections. However, Bush said he wants to solve the dispute through diplomacy.

Relatives of coal miners killed in January’s Sago Mine disaster spoke of heroes and heartbreak Tuesday as they asked an investigation panel to look for ways to ensure others don’t endure similar pain. Families are looking for truth about what really happened in the mine. West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin said at the public hearing that a joint state and federal investigation into the incident is ongoing and that he has asked for a report to be completed by July 1. The report will detail what happened at the Sago Mine and recommend mine-safety improvements.

In LA sports news, Rival groups representing Anaheim and the city of Los Angeles are making pitches to the national Football League owners committee in Dallas. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says the Los Angeles Coliseum is a clear choice for the NFL. Villarigosa promises renovation and the capability to hold Super Bowls and USC-UCLA games. While Anaheim city spokesperson boasts a platinum triangle with the addition of a football team. However it is up to the NFL to decide whether an expansion team or existing team would come to Los Angeles. The decision will come during a meeting on May 22nd.

The happiest place on earth welcomed its two billionth visitor on Tuesday. This made the day of young Emmalee Mason of Colorado who was greeted by Mickey Mouse and a golden key to the magic kingdom. She also received a lifetime pass to all eleven Disney Parks.

In Biola news Chapel on Friday will feature composers Keith and Kristyn Getty
Keith Getty is an Irish composer whose hymns, such as "In Christ Alone” are sung in churches throughout the world. Kristyn Getty is a young contemporary gospel singer whose talent has led to both solo performance and leading worship, as well as occasionally diversifying into the worlds of jazz and Celtic music. Both chapels will be held in the gym!

Have a great day!

Invisible Children: Global Night Commute

2006-05-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Invisible Children held their Global Night Commute (GNC) to protest the abduction of children in Northern Uganda by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). I attended the GNC in Costa mesa with seven hundred other Americans concerned about this issue. A group of 8 girls and 1 guy drove from Biola to Rock Harbor Church and then walked from the church to Orange Coast College (OCC). We walked 4.5 miles to OCC carrying backpacks, pillows and sleeping bags in hopes of making an impression upon our government to aid the Invisible Children of Northern Uganda.
During our sleep over we wrote letters to senators Boxer and Feinstein to press the government to help the country stop the LRA. Next we wrote letters to President Bush to listen to the senators and the millions of people that spent the night outside at the GNC. Lastly we created art projects with a photograph of ourselves to be complied into numerous books that will tell our story of why we support this cause.
By 11 p.m. the walkers had settled down for a meaningful night's sleep. Many were huddled to contain the heat because it was so cold and misty. the morning came not with the sun but with the blowing of a whistle to signal that we need to take a group picture, clean, pack-up and head out because the permit ended at 7 a.m.
So our group let OCC and walked another 4.5 miles back to our car at Rock Harbor.
As we headed back to Biola we talked about how much we hoped to have made an impression upon the community and the government. Some students in our group felt as though we had not been at our dorm for a long time. Also that we have not seen our friends in weeks. This may have been due to the intense feeling of actually taking part of an international movement to aid someone half-way across the world. Similarly a growth and maturing process had taken place. We saw a mass of people come together for one cause, we stepped outside of comfort zones and found something greater then ourselves.
This sleeping protest will resonate in the hearts of all who participated for a life time.

Please visit the Invisible Children website to find out more information: http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php

News 4-11-06

2006-04-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

This is your news...

In Spain yesterday a Judge indicted 29 people in connection with the 2004 Madrid train bombings. Suspects are charged with conspiracy, attempted murder and trafficking in explosives. These indictments come a month after Spain marked a somber second anniversary of the attacks.

In the Netherlands, a man is building a modern version of Noah’s ark. This devout Christians’ intentions to build the ark are not for times at sea, but to bring about a new awareness of the story within the Bible. He began construction three months ago and expects to spend 1.2 million dollars. Upon completion there will a petting zoo, a diorama re-enacting the flood and a gift shop.

In national news gasoline prices are on the rise again for this summer. The Energy Department says prices will push or pass three dollars a gallon. Hurricane Katrina is to blame for wiping out production of major oil refineries in the Gulf of Mexico. However drivers are not expected to ease off their mileage as 1.5 percent more gasoline will be used this summer.

A musical chairs week in day time television is finally settling down. Meredith Vieira has accepted the job replacing Katie Couric as morning anchor on NBC’s the today show. Though Couric’s contract ends in May, Vieira will not assume the position until September. As for the open seat on the view, ABC has yet to announce a possible replacement.

As southern California approaches fire season, firefighters are looking into more natural ways to prevent deadly infernos. Over two hundred goats were released in Peck Park Canyon to eat as much grass and weeds as possible to clear the area for brush fire season. This is their second time helping the cause and they will cover 12 acres in two to four weeks.

Have a great day!

Biola Sports Report 3-31-06

2006-03-31T12:37:00.000-08:00

Let’s get right to the good stuff, Biola baseball’s first baseman, Nick Dietzen is GSAC player of the week as he went ten for twenty-one with five runs, four doubles, two home runs and eight RBI, Helping the eagles to win four out of five games last week.

Looking back this week, at a busy schedule for the baseball team taking two w’s away against rival Azusa Pacific on Monday. In Game one Jonathan Young started the game and went for five innings giving up only two runs on five hits. Travis Lange finished pitching duties allowing one run and striking out three. Final score was seven to three. In game two Biola was lead by catcher Eric Bowman and center fielder Chris Foreman. Both finished the game going two for three at the plate and scoring three of the five runs bringing the sweep to a close at five to one. On Wednesday the eagle’s earned a fifth straight victory at Cal Baptist. Star players were Jimmy Johnson, Jack Creighton and Mike Casserly. But On Thursday tables turned as the eagles played a tough game against the Lancer’s from Cal Baptist again. Biola jumped out to an early lead but a couple big hits had the lancers leading for the rest of the contest with a final score of three to seven.
The Eagles are currently twenty-one and six overall and second place in conference with fourteen and six. And the Eagles play a doubleheader on Saturday at home against Vanguard University starting at eleven.

On Tuesday the Biola softball team competed at Cal Baptist and endured a goose egg in both games. In game one the offense was able to scrape out only two hits as Lindsay Nuckolls and Amanda Rudolph both went one for three. In game two Emily Gray pitched 4.2 innings and allowed only five runs. Next The Lady Eagles play a doubleheader on Saturday at Vanguard University. Their current record is twenty-three and eight overall and five and seven in GSAC.

Back on the court, the tennis team plays at home today against Point Loma at 2:30 then travels to my hometown of Santa Barbra to play Westmont College on Saturday.

Last but not least, the track team sent one player to nationals this week. Kristi Hook finished fifth in the pole vault event with a mark of 3.65 meters.

That’s it for sports, have a great weekend!!

News 3-21-06

2006-03-21T14:10:00.000-08:00

Extreme Weather: major snowfall shuts down much of the Midwest.

Anniversary: The Beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom Observed Yesterday.

Even spring's arrival was unable to ward off a major snowstorm in the Midwest. At least a foot of snow blanketed the majority of Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and Colorado. Hundreds of schools were closed Monday across the area, while hundreds of miles of freeway were shut down. The South Dakota State Legislature was forced to postpone their final day of session due to the storm.

Yesterday marked the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, an occasion observed across the globe. President Bush addressed the City Club of Cleveland, pointing to the city of Tal Afar as an example of the success of Iraq's democratization. In Washington, about 200 protestors attempted to deliver a mock coffin to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. In Iraq, 39 people were killed in attacks by terrorists and gangs across the country. Much of this violence was targeted toward police officials.

A couple charged with abuse for forcing some of their 11 adopted children to sleep in cages were stripped of custody Monday, six months after a social worker discovered the enclosures.
Juvenile Judge Timothy Cardwell said there was a good chance Michael and Sharen Gravelle would mistreat the children again, citing a history of sexual abuse allegations against the father.
The couple has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including child endangerment, in a separate criminal case.
They deny abusing the children, ages 1 to 15, and say the cages were necessary to protect the youngsters, who suffered from psychological and behavioral problems. Prosecutors accuse the couple of locking the children in cages to discipline them. One child testified that he was forced to sleep in a bathtub as punishment for wetting the bed.
The children were removed from the home in September and placed with several foster families.

During the LA Marathon on Sunday to men never reached the finish line. Two retired law enforcement officers died after collapsing on the route. Det. Raul Reyna, 53, suffered a heart attack at mile 24 near Olympic Boulevard and Westmoreland Avenue, two miles short of the finish line. The 28-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran had worked on the use of force investigation team at Parker Center. Reyna is a related to Biola Mass Comm Professor, Mike Gonzales. The other Officer, Retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy James Leone, 60, collapsed at mile 3, near Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street. Sheriff's officials said Leone was participating in his 11th L.A. marathon. He was a 26-year member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and had retired in July 2000.

In sports news, a teacher in Japan was so gripped by baseball fever that he proceeded to watch the game against rival South Korea while his students were taking an exam, on television. After the test many students complained about not being able to concentrate. Fortunately for the students, the test scores will not be included in the final grades.

In Biola news, tomorrow marks the beginning of Missions Conference week. Speakers include Murray Decker, Chair of Anthropology and Intercultural Studies at Biola University and Paul Borthiwck, who serves on staff of Development associates International. Also "Something Like Silas" will be performing to provide the soundtrack for during the conference.

Have a great week!

Biola Sports Report 3-17-06

2006-03-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Here is the latest in the world of Biola sports:

On Tuesday the Biola softball team played a double header against Point Loma and gave up both games to bring their record to one and three in conference play. Biola struggled to get anything going against the tough pitching of KC Robertson of Point Loma in both games. In the first game Biola was only able to scrape out one run on four hits, two of them coming from freshman, Keena Levert, who went two for three in the game. In game two Amerra Kesterson, Sarah Jensen and Keena Levert supplied the hits for the Eagles as they each went 1 for three in the game. Katie Gustaveson got the start and suffered the loss for Biola as she gave up five runs on eleven hits and stuck out five in her six innings of work. Biola returns to the field to play a doubleheader at Concordia University on Saturday.

Well it was just the opposite for the baseball team! The Eagles got back into the swing of winning on Wednesday as they beat Cal Sate San Bernardino thirteen to one. Chris Weems led the Biola attack as he exploded for three hits and three runs scored in three at bats against the Coyotes, while nine other Eagles had one hit apiece. Richard Fixsen blasted his first home run of the season as he belted a grand slam in the seventh inning to break things wide open. Kevin Fox got the start for Biola and went a solid five innings giving up only one run on six hits while striking out seven on his way to picking up his second win of the season. Jimmy Johnson came in a pitched the final four innings and blanked the Coyotes only giving up three hits and fanning seven. The Eagles return home on Saturday to take on GSAC rival, Point Loma Nazarene, in a double header beginning at 11:00am. The Eagles are currently ranked number three in the conference with a record of eight and three and fourteen and three overall.

The tennis team plays next against Pacific Lutheran University on March 21 at Home. Their current record is three and eight.

The track and field team has a meet coming up on March 18th. They will participate in the Long Beach Classic.

In women’s soccer news Christina Lane has signed to play for Biola in the 2006 season. Lane is a versatile player from Arizona who will play midfield and forward. Head Coach Mike Silzer anticipates a strong performance and contribution as a freshmen.

Don’t forget to check out the intramural teams this weekend and next week. Games begin at 8pm and continue thought out the evening!

That’s it for sports, have a great weekend!

Biola Sports Report::3-10-06::

2006-03-10T17:09:00.000-08:00

Keeping you up to date with Biola sports...

At the top of your news is the Biola swim team, who returned home on Sunday, from their five-day trip to the NAIA National Swim Meet on Monday with nine new school records and two top-ten team finishes. Record setters for the women include Shannon Lawrence swimming the 100 free with a time of 54.67 seconds, in the 200 breast is Ashley McLaughlin with a record of 2 minutes and 28.24 seconds and Christina Piakak grabbed two individual records with the 50 free at time of 25.08 seconds and the 100 fly with a time of 59.78 seconds.
The women’s team also set four new records for the 200, 400 and 800 free relay and logged one new time for the 200 medley relay.
Erik Scott of the men’s swim team broke the school record in the 100 breast with a time of 1 minute and 2.79 seconds.
Overall the women’s team came in sixth place and the men finished in tenth.

Turing to softball, on Tuesday the Lady Eagles played a double header at home against the Lions of Vanguard University. In the first game Tatiana Garcia got the start and recorded the win for the Eagles as she rolled through five innings giving up no runs on only fours hits. She then gave way to Emily Gray in the sixth inning who gave up only two hits the rest of the way to close out the victory. Jacquelin Hudson led the Eagle's offense as she went 3 for 3 in the game with two RBI. Amerra Kesterson also had a multi-hit performance as she went 2 for 4. As the innings ran out, the gamed ended in a 4 to zero shutout. Rolling into game two, Biola suffered their first loss due to errors late in the game and again Kesterson led the offense with a final score of 2 to 3. The lady eagles are currently number four in GSAC and they continue play in the Tucson Softball Invitational through the weekend.

Well in baseball news, it’s been the battle for home field advantage. On Wednesday Biola hit the road to play California Baptist University and came out with a 2 to 1 win. Biola was led by strong pitching of senior, Garet Hill who went eight innings and gave up only one run on ten hits while striking out six batters. Mike Casserly came in and closed things out in the ninth as he gave up only one hit and recorded the save. Then the Lancers came to Biola on Thursday and handed the Eagles their third loss of the season. Chris Foreman dominated the plate going 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored in the game. The final tally is 1 to 6. The eagles are currently number thee in GSAC with a record of eight and three and fourteen and three overall. Biola’s next game is a double header against Fresno Pacific University on Saturday.

Lastly, in women’s basketball news Orange County prep all-star, Chelsea Deluca, announced a verbal commitment to attend Biola for the 2006-2007 season. Coach Ken Crawford expects Deluca and other recruits to help take the program to the next level.

Have a great weekend!!

Biola Sports Report::2-23-06::

2006-02-23T22:12:00.000-08:00

This week in women’s basketball the lady Eagles took on Point Loma Tuesday night. Eagle senior, Linda Ogugua had yet another dominating game finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but it was not enough as Biola fell to the Sea Lions 48-47
Biola had a seven point lead at halftime, holding Pt. Loma to just 18 first half points. In second half action the Eagles had a one point lead with 25 seconds remaining in the game when Mica DeHoog stole the ball, which led to a game winning layup by Kerra Wodarski with 22 seconds left.
Linda Ogugua led all players in points and rebounds, while Crystal Duncan added eight points and four rebounds of her own. Biola's next stop with be in Irvine to take on Concordia University today at 3:00pm.

The Biola men’s basketball team had similar outcome against the Sea Lions.
Unable to climb out of another first half hole, Biola saw their four-game winning streak come to a halt in a seventy to sixty-four loss against Point Loma Nazarene Tuesday night in San Diego.
The Eagles were able to control guard Matt Benson who went for 31 points in the first meeting, but this time Tim Kruge dominated the middle with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Casey Ortiz provided the outside punch for the Sea Lions hitting a trio of three-pointers and finishing with 15 points.
Biola managed to close the deficit from as many as 17 down to five with just over four minutes left to go, but were unable to put the biscuit in the basket until only 52 seconds remained on the clock.
Junior forward Spencer Foster led the Eagles with 21 points and nine rebounds while Brandon Warner continued his hot play by adding 13 points and 12 rebounds.
The Eagles return to GSAC action tonight as they travel down to Irvine to face the Eagles from Concordia University at 7:30.

Also in Men’s hoops, we send out special congratulations to senior forward, Brandon Warner who received the GSAC Player of the week award! Brandon is averaging seventeen points, eight rebounds and three point three assists per game.

In baseball news, Biola traveled to Costa Mesa to take on Vanguard last
Saturday. The Eagles swept the lions, winning 4-2 and 6-0. Led by Garret Hill and Kevin Fox, Biola controlled the games from the mound as Hill won his second straight decision and Fox finished up with a complete game shutout.
The Eagles have a double header versus Concordia at home this Saturday afternoon.

In softball news the lady eagles played a double header against Briar Cliff University on Monday. Biola’s bats were hot, scoring eight runs in the game. Pitching duties were shared byTatiana Garcia and Emily Gray who shut out the Chargers and only allowing two hits apiece. The game was ended with the enforcement of the mercy rule. Biola continued its great pitching and hot hitting in the second game winning 8-0 as the mercy rule was enforced yet again. The offense was led by Keena LeVert who went two for three including a three-run home run in the fifth giving her a season high five RBI. Softball plays today against Dominican University at the Nor Cal Classic. Their current record is 4-0.

And finally, in women’s tennis news the team is currently ranked number four in GSAC with an overall record of 2 and 3. Their next set of matches is today at Fresno Pacific University

News 2-20-06

2006-02-19T17:51:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the latest happenings in the world!

Philippine relief workers Saturday continued searching for more than 1,800 people missing after a mudslide covered most of a mountainside village. Only 56 residents of Southern Leyte have been found after the slide covered the village, burying all but three houses. Eleven other villages in the area have been evacuated for fears of further landslides after a record rainfall turned the mountainside into 30-foot deep mud. Weather conditions and the extent of the mudslide have hampered rescue efforts. The official death toll was 35 as of Saturday morning when the search was restarted. Included in the missing are the 253 students and teachers in an elementary school.
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo deployed the countries navy and coast guard to the area to help in the search. The United States and the Red Cross also sent people and supplies for the relief effort.

A moderate earthquake hit southeastern Iran on Saturday without causing any significant damage. The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the quake in Kerman Province measured 5.3 on the Richter scale. The area is one of the most seismologically active in the world.

During a press conference on Friday, the man shot by Vice-President Dick Cheney apologies saying, "Accidents do and will happen" and said he is sorry for all the hullabaloo and scrutiny the incident has brought upon the vice president and his family. Whittington was released due to high spirits and credits his stable condition to the excellent care from doctors at the Corpus Christi Hospital.

Although your chances of matching all six Power ball numbers are 1 in 146.1 million, people all over the country are forming lines to have a chance in winning the 365 million dollars at stake. Some retailers say cranking out 29 tickets per second isn’t at all bad for business. However, the only ticket matching the winning numbers drawn Saturday was sold at a U-Stop convenience store in Lincoln, Nebraska and the winner has yet to come forward to claim their prize.

In the Olympics hotshot snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis had a 50-yard lead in the first women's Olympic snowboardcross final Friday and found herself in a moment of victory. But she looked over her shoulder several times in the bottom section of the run to see where her opponents were on the course. Trying to show off a bit, she attempted throwing a back-side method over the second-to-last jump. But she held the grab too long, lost her edge and tumbled to the snow.
While she was scrambling to get up, Tanja Frieden of Switzerland came around the final turn and blew by Jacobellis to steal what would have been Team USA's fourth gold medal in snowboarding at these Olympics.
For all of you keeping up with the Olympic the medal count Germany is in first with a total of 18, the United States is in second with 13 and Russia rounds out the top three with 13. In the race for gold Germany and the US are tied with 7 each.

In Biola sports action on Saturday the baseball team, hit the road to play a double header at Vanguard University and came out on the top both games with scores of 4-2 and 6-0.
Turning to basketball, the women’s team dominated a scrappy Westmont team to finish with a score of 81-70 and the men’s team sealed the deal against Westmont, with a solid game and a score of 89-72. Tune in Friday for more details in the Biola sports Report.

Today marks the beginning of a week-long celebration of Biola’s founding history. The week commences with Chapel featuring a special inside look at what life was like back in the old days of Biola University. And today from 11:30 to 2 pm adjacent to Flour Fountain, there will be a tribute to people who have made Biola what it is today along with a vintage soda fountain and live music.

Today in black history in the year 1895, Fredrick Douglas dies at the age of 78. Some of Douglas’s credits include, being one of the foremost leaders of the abolitionist movement, he began publishing an antislavery paper called the North Star and he served as an adviser to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and fought for the adoption of constitutional amendments that guaranteed voting rights and other civil liberties for African Americans.

News 2-15-06

2006-02-15T18:35:00.000-08:00

Peru Launches Surprise Raids

Cheney Faces the Nation

Another Reason to Avoid McDonald's Fries

Elizabethtown: DVD Review

In Lima Peru, National police initiated surprise raids on Wednesday, trying to get illegal and dangerous "bus-trucks" off the road after recent crashes are attributed these fatly busses. These busses look structurally safe from the outside but after investigation, found inadequate brake systems. However, excessive speed, bad weather and overcrowding, are among other factors leading to accidents.

Vice President Dick Cheney accepts full blame for the shooting of friend and lawyer Harry Whittington. "Ultimately I'm the guy who pulled the trigger that fired the round that hit Harry," Cheney said in his first interview since the incident. "I'm the guy who pulled the trigger and shot my friend, and that's something I'll never forget."

McDonald's Corporation announced Monday that wheat and dairy ingredients are used to flavor their french fries. The presence of those substances can cause allergic reactions to food-sensitive consumers. This acknowledgment is causing a stir among costumers who are on on gluten-free diets. This information was only released due to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requiring that the presence of common allergens such as milk, eggs, wheat, fish or peanuts be reported.

On February 7th Cameron Crowe's eighth film Elizabethtown was released in stores. The movie offers a wonderful finding your place in the world theme with a love story. I recommend this movie to all those who need a refreshing dose of and AMerican movie that highlights family and American history.

First Blog!

2006-02-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

I have just completed my first week of second semester of my freshman year in college! It has been a learning and growing experience to say the least! I have put into practice all the study skills I learned as I was preparing for college and have become spiritually independent. I feel so blessed to go to Biola University.

I am required to have this blog for my Journalism class, so I will be posting often.
If you are interested in some great news check out eaglevison at http://www.mcom.biola.edu/ev/
I am the girl who did the Biola Sports Report!