From Minnesota to Loma
My name is Claire Bakken.
Freshman Blogger for Point Loma.
I'm from a small town in Minnesota.
My major is managerial and organizational communications aka MOCM at Loma, and business communications everywhere else. I love living in San Diego so far and love love love living on the ocean! Enjoy my blog and feel free to hit that button up above and ask me any questions!
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IT’S OFFICIALLY SUMMER!!
I finished my last final on Thursday morning and moved out later that day. I originally was going to move out Saturday or Sunday, but then I realized everyone would still be studying Thursday night so now I’m kind of house hopping I guess you could say, in Orange County. It’s crazy warm here-95 degrees! At least there was non of that Midwest humidity!
I fly back to Minnesota for the summer on Wednesday, which is really bittersweet for me. I’m so excited to be back with my family for the summer but leaving everyone here, and for so long, will be hard. I’m really hoping I can visit Loma for a week before I leave for Costa Rica study abroad in the fall! Fingers crossed. The top picture is little collage of all my highlights and closest friends from this year, and the bottom one is from a bonfire we had last weekend. Everyone was all together before we left so it was really cool.
Here are 10 of my highlights from the year and recommendations for incoming freshman:
1. Freshman Retreat-GO TO THIS. It’s the first weekend after you move in and it’s definitely worth it! Even if you don’t know anyone else going, still go because this is where I met a lot of my closest friends. It’s at a Young Life camp so the food and facilities are nice and it’s a really cool way to get to know your new classmates. It’s super hot, but super fun and there’s a pool there to cool off.
2. College Young Life-I started going in the beginning of the year to SDSU for their club and it was another great way to meet people. I did Young Life all through middle school and high school so I was so stoked when I found out I could go to State’s. I met a bunch of really great people from their school and got the opportunity to become a leader at a high school in San Diego. Also, Point Loma is starting a College Young Life up so you’ll see that around in the fall! Even if it’s not joining Young Life—join some type of ministry or club. It’s a great way to meet people outside of your friend group and get involved. Being a part of SDSU’s Young Life not only allowed me to meet people from outside Loma, but I also got to go to events like the college work weekend, halloween party, and Christmas dance that was so much fun!
3. ACAI BOWLS. Oh my gosh this should be moved to number one for me. I think if I could be addicted to anything this would be it. Both semesters I’ve been known to have multiple each week and this is honestly probably where a lot of my money went this semester. No shame. In addition, I learned what the California burrito was, another San Diego staple! Since we’re on the topic of food, you’ll be in San Diego so try as much as you can! Freshman can’t have cars but you can get to places by taking the shuttle and going out to eat with my friends was always a fun weekend activity.
4. Living on Sunset Cliffs-This was absolutely amazing. From the sunsets, to running on the edge, to the beach right by Young Hall, living on the ocean was incredible. I really wish I would’ve gone down to the beach on campus more, but hopefully if I live in Young when I get back from Costa Rica I will!
5. Seeing new parts of California-I’m sure many people that go to Loma are from California but as someone coming from the Midwest, this was so exciting to me! If I were to leave town for the weekend it was typically to Orange County, but I also got up to LA and Azusa so seeing different areas was really great. Hopefully I can go past LA and see that area next year. My friends rarely went home, but when they did it was fun for my friends and I to get a break from school.
6. Friendships-Honestly I don’t know how I went 18 years without these people in my life. I’ve never laughed so hard, felt so much joy, and been happier with the people surrounding me. Blessed is an understatement, and I will miss everyone until January. Make the most every time you’re with your new friends, the year goes by faster than you could ever imagine!
7. Spring Break-I just went to Orange County with my girlfriends but I had a blast! Beach days, exploring the area, and a week relaxing by the beach. What more could you ask for? I’m not sure where your plans will take you for spring break, but a little get away with friends is always fun.
8. BEACH BONFIRES- I still think these are so great. I guess if you live on a lake back home you can have one, but public beaches close at sundown so this was new! It was just a chill, fun way to spend a night with friends. Make sure you fit in a few of these during your year here.
9. Palm trees-They’re everywhere and I just think they’re the coolest thing. No advice here, except if you’re from California just realize how great it is that you have these year round.
10. Family-Yes, I know my family wasn’t out here the whole year, but meeting my friends’ families was the greatest thing ever! I met all of my best friends parents, got to spend time with them, and even have stayed at some of their houses. Being so far away from home, this helped a lot just being in a homey atmosphere and getting to know people that made me feel at home! So whether you’ll be coming from close or far away, get to know people’s families! It helps when you need a break from school!
All in all, I had the most amazing year ever, and spent it with the best people. 5 months of summer vacation, Costa Rica, and back to Loma in the spring. Until then, I’m not sure how much I’ll be posting this summer. If I do something extraordinarily exciting I’ll put something up. And you’ll be hearing from me when I get to Costa Rica for the fall! Hope everyone has a great summer vacation and finishes school strong.
Claire
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Hey! I'm going to PLNU in the fall, and I was wondering if blogging is a job, if so, how'd you go about getting it?
Asked by senoje1
Hello! Congrats, can’t wait to see you around next year! Blogging IS a job, and admissions will probably need to hire two new freshman for the incoming year, so you’re in luck. Any job offered on campus is posted on the ‘On-Campus Job Board’ on Point Loma’s website. There you can find many job opportunities. I don’t know when they post jobs for the fall, but just keep checking back and send in your resume when it’s posted! Go to employment.pointloma.edu and click the students tab for more jobs and info.
Claire
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Last night to celebrate one of my friend’s birthday, we headed to OB for the farmer’s market that’s there every Wednesday night. So much fun! There’s food, music, and a bunch of people which makes for a great time. There’s a little crepe place that we stopped at first which was SO good. And of course, I can’t go to OB without getting an açai bowl so I got one of those too. Safe to say I left very full! I wish we had more time to walk around to look at the other foods and flowers there were for sale!
Last Monday was also my last Young Life club with my high school kids which was so great. I love the team of people I work with and the all of the kids, I wish I could stay until the end of their school year! I’m super excited to get started again once I get back from study abroad. Try and get involved in a ministry if you come here, or any club/group/organization. It’s a great way to meet more people and give back!
I officially have one day left of classes in my freshman year. HOW did this come up so fast?! Even though it’s the last weekend before finals and many of us will be busy studying, hopefully I’ll be able to get out and do something with everyone before we leave. They’ve officially put up all the requirements to move and and it’s a lot. I’m not quite sure how I moved all of this stuff in here 8 months ago. But, it will get done and then I’ll have a 5 month summer break before heading off to Costa Rica! Wish me luck on finals. Have a great week!
Claire
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Friday night Loma had it’s annual fashion show! So, everyone got dressed up for the night and went to the Liberty Station Conference Center. Everyone looked so great, and it was cool to see some of the student’s designs! Although it was fun to get all dressed up and watch, the show was about 20 minutes…..not what my friends and I expected. Hopefully next year it’s longer or features more artistic things from students!
In other news, I only have 10 days of classes left. 10 DAYS. I just can’t even figure out how this year went by so quickly. It’s still snowing like crazy back home, which is rare, and I told my mom if there was still snow on the ground in a few weeks, I won’t be coming home. She didn’t like that very much.
I’m trying to make the most of my last few weeks here. Ready to be done with the schoolwork, but not ready to leave.
Have a great week,
Claire
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Four weeks from today will officially be move out day! I’ll say it again, I can’t believe how quickly time flies. This past week after Easter break went so fast, I’m sure that’s how the next four will go. I have a ten page research paper and a five page exegesis paper due in the next few weeks that I’ve really been putting off. Once those are done my biggest concern will be my French final. Then I’m off to Orange County for a week, and home for the summer getting ready for Costa Rica this fall!! So excited for that opportunity. I must admit, the idea of going home this summer is really bittersweet. Can’t wait to see family again, but at the same time I love California and my friends here so much. I probably won’t be back until January either!
People always ask me where I’ll go after I graduate. Luckily I have three more years to decide because right now I have no clue. I could see myself staying out in California right after, especially since PLNU has so many great connections. Time will tell. As an out of state student, before I made my choice to come to Loma that was something that always worried me. But I’ve thought and thought about it and realized that whatever God’s plan for me is, I’ll be happy wherever I end up. And I know that coming to San Diego was the best choice for me.
The picture above is from my run this morning. The path along the cliffs actually gives me motivation.
Have a great last few months of school for all you prospectives. And for more Loma info, check out the schools instagram: plnu.
Claire
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I officially switch my major! Before I was business administration with a concentration in international business, and now I’m managerial and organizational communications (MOCM). Basically it’s a mix between business and communications, and I’m really excited about it! I think I want to go into event planning, so this is the perfect major for that. The classes are the only thing that didn’t work out for me this semester. I thought when I planned out my spring semester I would be able to use all my classes for either major, but turns out I can’t! So now two of my classes don’t count except for electives and with going to Costa Rica this fall I could’ve done my language requirements there instead of the French I took this year. It’s a little frustrating to know that the classes I’m taking aren’t needed, but the semester is almost over!
So my advice is this: even if you think you’re 100% on the major you’re entering college with, you may not be in the long run. I thought I was going to be business for sure, but then I found out about this program! And if you’re in between two majors, check what classes overlap for both so you don’t end up taking classes that don’t count.
Have a great weekend, hope your college decisions are coming along well!
Claire
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For anyone out of state or not on the coast you might think that everyday living on the ocean is sunny. It’s not. There’s this thing called the marine layer; and what is the marine layer you ask? According to Wikipedia, a marine layer, sometimes inaccurately called “sea fog”, is an air mass which develops over the surface of a large body of water such as the ocean or large lake in the presence of a temperature inversion. Or in easier language: lots and lots of fog. So when the weather report this week came in looking to be upper 70’s and sunny for San Diego, it was. Just 10 minutes inland. The fog typically burns off from the sun by afternoon but this week was pretty gloomy all day. Welcome ‘May gray’ and ‘June gloom’. It’s so crazy that a few minutes inland it can be sunny and warm while at Loma we can barely see too far ahead! Marine layer is not something I knew about before moving here, not that it’s a deal breaker or anything. Here’s some pictures from campus. The one from the Greek you can usually see the ocean clearly in the background on a normal day.
I went down to the beach by Young Hall a few days ago and it was surprisingly a lot warmer down there and the fog wasn’t as bad! Still gray skies, but still equally as beautiful. I should really go down there more.
Have a great weekend!
Claire
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Oh and one more thing! I officially decided on studying abroad in Costa Rica this fall. I’m so excited! It saves so much money and the experience will be so amazing! I’ll be living with a host family and working on my Spanish while zip lining through the forest and going scuba diving for my marine biology class. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
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The week after spring break is done, and it couldn’t have gone any slower. On the plus side, my spring break was fantastic! I went to a beach house in Dana Point until Friday with my girl friends, and then the last few days I stayed more inland Orange County since one of my girlfriends had to be back at school for track! It was so great just relaxing for the week and doing no homework. The weather was a little cloudy some days, but that just meant more game days with grandma! The first few days when the weather was super nice we laid out front and got some sun and went to Laguna Beach for the best acai in the world called Banzai Bowls. I got a pitaya bowl instead which was so good too! It was fun seeing the beach towns in Orange County too. So different from San Diego, and of course so different from Minnesota.
We went to Azusa Pacific University one day too! It was cool to see a different university in California for me. I liked it, and the community of people was great, but I still am glad I chose PLNU! Can’t beat the ocean :)
Saturaday we went to LA to the Fashion District and got super great deals! It’s all these alley ways that are full of so many things to buy, at really cheap prices! And after we were shopped out, we went to Hollywood Blvd and were complete tourists. Traffic alone in LA made me confident it’s not the place for me.
Along with beach days, acai days, we had plenty of movie nights, and plenty of good times spent with the best people. I love these people more and more everyday.
This week was a tough one back! Going from no work for a week to two midterms and quizzes is tough. Lots and lots of library time was put in! I was there until it closed last night. But it pays off in the end!
Here are some pictures from break. Nothing too interesting. More Krispy Kreme, beach pictures, and my friends! Enjoy your spring breaks :)
Claire
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Since your from the midwest, have you tried learning how to surf yet? The water looks stunning in all of your pics! And which dorms, in your opinion, are the best (views, buildings, bathrooms)? I'm supposed to be turning in my deposit soon but I'd like to know which housing I might end up into. :)
Asked by Anonymous
I have NOT learned how to surf :) I would really really love to…and a lot of my friends do but I don’t think I physically could. I can’t even waterski. I just think water sports aren’t my thing…yet. I’m hoping by the end of my four years here I can give it a shot or maybe take our surfing class.
I’m guessing you’re a freshman so your options will be Nease, Hendricks, and Klassen. I’ve barely been to Klassen or Hendricks so I’m really partial to Nease. I’m pretty sure if you get ocean side rooms in any of the halls you’ll have a decent view though. All of the buildings are on the older side and all share bathrooms which are pretty simlar. I really like Nease’s community because there’s 8 floors here rather than the 3 in the other two. What else…..when I went to Klassen and Hendricks it felt really bare to me. But then again I must restate, I’m really bias to Nease :) Benefits location wise to Nease is that it’s closest to most things. Library, admissions, chapel, classes, caf lane. So when I forget a book in the library it’s not too much of a pain to go back and get it. The other two are close to the track and baseball field and things like Fermanian or Taylor Hall which is where many business and nursing classes are. Honestly though, if you ask anyone from Hendricks or Klassen, I’m sure they’ll like it better than the idea of Nease. I think wherever you are placed your freshman year will be your favorite. I’m going to try and live in Young next year, which is closest to the ocean. Hope this helps! See you around next year hopefully! :)
Claire
