The Meaning of Ariel

I've decided I need to start blogging at least three times a week. While that total will be cumulative between this blog and my book blog, I want to really focus on this blog. I enjoy writing and blogging, and since I've been going through a really rough and emotional patch lately in life, I need something to help ease that.

A blog I follow, Mama Kat's Losing It, I followed way back when I was a part of a blogging group. (I don't even remember its name, it has been that long.) I loved that she shows her honesty through a touch of sarcasm and humor, and I never stopped reading. She does weekly and monthly blogging and blogging prompts, so most of my posts for awhile will come from her.

November Writing Prompt Day 3: The meaning of your name... does it suit you?

According to Behind the Name, Ariel means "lion of God". It is referenced in the Bible a few times, once as another name for Jerusalem in Isaiah 29:1-8 (Wikipedia), and once as a helper to Ezra in Ezra 8:16 (Bible Study Tools).

My parents did not raise me as a Christian; I came into my faith through my friends. I attended their church youth group and AWANA through middle school, and then began going to Sunday morning services with them as well. However, I was not saved until high school, through some greed and ignorance on my part.

Where am I going with this, you may ask. While my parents did not raise me as a Christian, this does not mean they are not spiritual people. While we may not agree on beliefs, they have always supporting me, and I appreciate the way I was raised. I feel that I have a different view of Christianity than many other Christians, simply because I was not raised as one from a young age.

Because of my family, for many years I loathed the meaning of my name. I felt it was meant for someone else; I did not feel like I could be a strong warrior, or a lion for God's name. For many years I wished I had various other names.

As I entered my college years and spent a short time at George Fox University, a private Christian college, I became stronger in my faith as I explored it for myself, instead of "riding on the coattails" of my friends. During this time I doubted many times, but I never completely lost my faith in God. Deep down, I knew He was there for me, even if I couldn't see it.

Those years greatly influenced who I am today. Don't get me wrong, I still have hard times. However, I remember what I have accomplished, and realize that I do embody my name. Even if I am not a strong warrior or a fighter on the outside, I am constantly standing firm on the inside, a strong lion for God.

Reminicing

I went back and from some of my old blogs from 2009. Oh, the memories.

That was a really hard year for me. I have absolutely no desire to repeat. My emotions were on the worst roller coaster of my life, and I was being hit with one things after another. I was miserable.

So much has changed since then. Not only have a I gotten older, but I would like to think I've gotten more mature as well. And many of my friends have done the same.

I've done some crazy things these last 5 years; things I would never have imagined I would get to do. I don't regret any of them.

I am who I am because of everything that has happened these past 5 years, started with everything in 2009. They have shaped me into who I am today, and I wouldn't change any of it.

Yay Vlog!

Because this is such a loooooong update, I'm making you watch it to find out what I'm up to ;) It involves a crazy boyfriend, Disney, apartments, lack of a cat, and much more! It's worth it, I promise!

DCP: Check-in and Orientation

It Begins

Are you guys ready for an update yet? How about a vlog? Well here it is!

I will be posting all DCP info and updates to this blog, and doing periodic vlogs as well. Stay tuned if you want to hear all about my adventure!

Finally an update!

I was planning on writing this post on Saturday... but that didn't happen due to me doing my homework all day long :P So I'm writing it now! Since I have no homework and am bored out of my mind, I don't really have an excuse.

The first week of classes was TORTURE. I honestly almost started crying the first day. My Client-Server Programming class is already kicking my butt. Luckily I have friends in that class that understand it better than I do, but it's still really hard for me. My other CS class, Software Engineering, is actually pretty easy so far! Really, Client-Server Programming is my only hard class. If I can keep up in that class, I should easily pass my classes this semester. (And hopefully pull my GPA back up!)

Our brother floor this year is SO MUCH better than last year's. They have already had a bro/sis floor dinner with us and a game night, and we're friends with most of them on Facebook. My roommates are considering asking them to all go as a group to the Sophomore formal :P They're all super nice :)

I got to go visit L Sunday, and me, her, K and J went to Powell's and the mall. It was so much fun but SO HOT. Seriously, I got sick it was so bad. I got a really cute new white leopard print cami :D I'm wearing it in this picture, but you might not be able to tell. I'm also wearing a skirt, which rarely happens :P

Classes are going fine now, except for Programming of course. Music Fundamentals is a CAKEWALK. That class bores me, to be honest. Unfortunately... I need it for an art credit so I can't just drop it. And it'll be fun... except for having to compose our own song for out final! Scary.

I've been reading a tons, and will keep reading even more because I have a bunch of blog tours due for my other blog. So if I don't update as much as I'd like, that would be why! But you can always bug me if you want me to update ;) I will possibly be finishing my new layout tonight... but no promises! (So you might want to read this on the actual blog to see haha!)

Hope everyone who has already started school isn't drowning yet, and good luck to those who still need to start!

Blog Bash Intro Post!

I'm participating in Brittany and Hannah's 2011 blog bash! I'm a few days late in posting this, but I was on vacation all weekend so I didn't have internet.

If you're a new reader, I'll share a little about myself! If you're an old reader, just bear with me :)

I'm Ariel, and I'm a 20-year-old from Oregon! I love blogging, and currently have three blogs. This one, my book blog The Librarian's Bookshelf, and a private one. I'm attending George Fox University, and am an aspiring librarian! And if you hadn't guessed, I LOVE to read! I have tons of books and I love sharing my love of them with others.

I also love technology! I own two laptops, a Nook, a Nintendo DS, an iPod, and my cell phone of course. I rarely go anywhere without some sort of technology and a book!

On to the questions!

1.) What's your favorite memory from Summer 2011?

Triangle Lake! It was such an awesome weekend, and I love spending time with all my friends!

2.) What's your dream summer vacation?
Paris. Anyone who knows me would not be surprised by this answer :P I LOVE everything to do with France, and especially Paris!

3.) What's your favorite thing to do in the summer?
Read! I love just sitting on my bed and reading all day. I know that makes me sound really lazy, haha! But I also enjoy going on random adventures with my friends :)

4.) What's your "blog goal" for 2011?
To blog more :/ I don't blog on this blog as much as I used to, so I'm hoping to do a lot more on here! I'm also considering do an entire month of vlogging, if I can get enough topics! We'll see :)

5.) Let's hear the story behind your blog title! :)
Well as I said before, I LOVE anything to do with France. I am also a writer, and I tend to write more poems than stories. Thus The French Poet was born :)

If you are stopping by as new follower, leave a link in the comments so I can check your blog out!