Living the Life at Chaminade

This past weekend I was privileged to go on a retreat with the Marianist Brothers at their Beach House in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. This retreat was an opportune time to get away from the busyness of college life and take some time to relax and reflect. I had a chance to attend this retreat with my good friend Cassin Muramoto, a Junior majoring in Business.

The retreat focused on our vocation and discernment: What we felt God was calling us to do in life. Our discussions focused on what our desires and passions were, and how we could channel them into leading successful lives and careers. There was time for prayer, and time for relaxing as well.

The following were pictures from the weekend:

This is the Beach House owned by the Brothers.

 

The Retreat Weekend included time for Prayer. Here’s the Prayer Booklet and Community Candle which was used during Prayer.

 

One of the perks of the retreat was trying out Father George’s Peanut Butter Cake.

 

The Brothers have a really nice Living Room. It was fairly comfy.

 

The beach was very pleasant, at least for Saturday. Sunday proved to be a bit rainy.

 

This was a group photo of some of the brothers and Cassin and I on Saturday Evening. (Bottom Row from L to R: Bro. Dave Murphy, SM, Guidance Counselor at Saint Louis School; Anthony Selvanathan, CUH Student; Bro. Brandon Alana, SM, Campus Pastoral Minister for Chaminade University. Top Row from L to R: Fr. Ken Templin, Chaplain at Saint Louis School; Fr. John Thompson, SM, Director of Hale Malia Community, Education Professor and Campus Pastoral Minister at Chaminade University; Fr. George Cerniglia, SM Rector at Chaminade University, and Cassin Muramoto, Junior at Chaminade University.)

Chaminade’s Student Government Association, more commonly known as CSGA, has heard the voices of students wanting longer library hours, so a trial period has been set up to see if the extended hours have any student support.

Here are the extended hours from March 4th, 2013 to March 22nd, 2013.

Sunday: 4pm-12am

Monday: 7am-12am 

Tuesday: 7am-12am

Wednesday: 7am-12am

Thursday: 7am-12am

Friday: 7am-6pm

Saturday: 11am-4pm

In order for the hours to become permanent, student support is needed. So students, please utilize the extended hours before they go away!

Thanks Readers!

Hello Readers! I do realize that it has been many a moon since I have last posted any new content on this blog. In this post, I hope to share some of the highlights of the past two months at Chaminade, including notable events, and happenings in the form of photos. Please note that some photos were taken from the Campus Ministry Website and the Chaminade News Webpage.

The 2013 Founders Day Mass, held on January 22nd was a Joint Celebration between Chaminade University, Saint Louis School, and Marianist Center of Hawaii to honor the founder of the Marianist Order, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. Here Chaminade University Students Kaipo Leopoldino and Genevieve Krier dance Hula after Communion. (Picture Credit to www.mysticalrosebulletin.com)

Chaminade University Rector Rev. George Cerniglia, SM blessed a 12ft tall Bronze Statue of the School’s Namesake, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade after the Founder’s Day celebrations. The statue was created by former Marianist Joe Aspell. (Jan 22 2013)

Chaminade University once again joined the American Heart Association Go Red Challenge. Spurred on by Student Services, students, faculty and staff wore red throughout last Friday, Feb. 1 with many of them posing for the photo found on the American Heart Association website. (Photo credit to Chaminade News Website)

On February 11, 2013 the annual Founders Day Awards were held at the Mystical Rose Oratory. In this picture, Bro. Bernie Ploeger, SM and Fr. George Cerniglia, SM are with awardees Dominique Bocanegra (Founders Award), Bro. Jerry Bommer (Marianist Award), and Venus Ituralde (Chaminade Award) given in recognition of their service and witness to the campus community. (Photo credit to www.mysticalrosebulletin.com)

The Office of the Rector held a Mardi Gras celebration for Chaminade Students, Faculty and Staff at Hale Malia, one of the Marianist Communities on Campus on February 12th. (Photo credit to www.mysticalrosebulletin.com)

Chaminade’s Campus Ministry held two liturgies to celebrate Ash Wednesday on February 13th.  With Standing Room Only at both celebrations, students, faculty, and staff had the opportunity to receive ashes to begin the Lenten season.

Chaminade’s Programming Board held a Valentine’s Day Dance for students on Valentine’s Day. Music was provided by DJ Captain Kirk and the night was MC’d by Professor Kuldip Shergill.

The Reverend Yoshiaki Fujitani Endowed Lecture Series promotes interfaith dialogue. Sayadaw U Thuzana is the Abbot of Tathagata Meditation Center (TMC) in San Jose. He has been a monk for 30 years and speaks fluent English. He spoke on the Buddhist practice of the Eightfold Noble Path, including Right Mindfulness as the doorway to inner peace. Here Sayadaw is pictured with Student Anthony Selvanathan and Dean of Humanities, Dr. David Coleman.

Keep Posted for Future Blog Updates. Until then, Au Revoir!

Last night, on November 1st, Chaminade University, in partnership with Saint Louis Schools and Marianist Center of Hawaii kicked off BILAC (Big Island Liturgy and Arts Conference) with an Opening Concert Featuring performances by Joe Camacho, David Haas, Gary Daigle, Tony Alonzo, and many more composers. The three day conference features sessions about Liturgy, Music, and many other topics relating to Catholic Worship.

Some of the VIP’s in attendance were some Catholic Bishops from around the Pacific, including Hawaii Bishop Larry Silva, Bishop John Cummins, Bishop Tod Brown, Archbishop Charles Bo, and Bishop Remi DeRoo.

Chaminade’s Hawaiian Club Performing at the BILAC Concerrt

Myself and Bishops from around the Pacific at the BILAC Concert

For more information on BILAC, click here.

The Beginning of another school year is finally here! With great anticipation, I have finally have been reunited with the full benefits of college life. Of course, taking summer school has definitely kept my mind sharp and in the swing of campus life, but it’s great to see all of the faculty, fellow students, staff and new freshmen around. This semester is surely going to be a busy on for me, as I continue with my class load of seventeen credits, and as I begin my first science classes at Chaminade (which I am finding to be rather fun at the moment.) In addition to my classes, I plan on continuing to blog for the university, as well as being an officer for the Chaminade Civic Engagement Club. Other positions I’ll be holding are being Sophomore Senator, and continuing my work with Campus Ministry.

There are quite a few activities for students to look forward to in the coming weeks. These activities include:

“Men in Black 3″ Movie on the Lawn will be held on Thursday, August 30th at 7:30pm at the Chaminade Sullivan Library Lawn.

Fall Spiritual Convocation Mass on Friday, August 31st at 11:30am at the Mystical Rose Oratory.

Karaoke Night at the Chaminade Loo Student Center On Friday Evening (August 31st.)

Fall Club Fest will be held in the Henry Hall Courtyard on Wednesday, September 5th at 12:30pm

Campus Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, September 6th on Third Road.

Hope everyone has a great first week back!

In addition to my first post about what Cystic Fibrosis was, I wanted to continue writing about how patients who have CF make the most of their lives, and in this post, I’ll be talking about what the treatments CF Patients undergo, as well as discuss what CF’ers (Patients who suffer from CF) do to build a sense of community and to connect with each other.

There are various ways Cystic Fibrosis can be treated. The first treatment most CF’ers use are learning how to trigger coughs that will help clear thick mucus from their airways, helping them breathe better. There are also different nutritional diets that CF’ers use to help them live a healthier lifestyle. Also, there are clinical trials for drugs that are being made to help CF’ers with the way that their genes function correctly, such as the drug Kalydeco. In addition, treatments such as inhaling Hyper-tonic Saline to help CF’ers breathe better and taking Pulmozyme to help loosen mucus from the airways are ways CF’ers can live longer. CF’ers also take Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Anti-Infective Drugs, and sometimes undergo lung transplantation.

I can’t help but be amazed at how optimistic, empowered, and strong many CF’ers are about life. In a world where many people are unhappy with what they have in life, CF’ers make the most out of life. They truly seize the day and make the most out of it, never complaining about what they have. Their families are also extremely supportive of them.

A good friend of mine has blogs, websites, and Facebook Groups that you can check out if you want to learn a lot more about Cystic Fibrosis. Also, another friend of mine is blogging about her journey with CF, which I’d highly encourage you to check out as well. Here are the websites:

Our CF Matters Hawaii- A great blog about CF Developments as the occur! Made by my very good friend Rod! http://ourcfmattershawaii.com/

Gray Hair CF Club- A simple site for those who have CF and have gray hair, for CFers who plan to have gray hair, or anyone who knows someone with CF who has gray hair, or loves someone with CF who has gray hair. To grow old with CF is a victory! https://www.facebook.com/groups/453329351352360

Coughing Angel-My Friend Daniela’s Journey with CF. http://coughingangel.wordpress.com/category/english/

Special thanks goes out to Rod Spadinger for all of his help with helping my raise CF Awareness!

Thank you all for reading, and until next time, Live Life!

As part of my blogging adventures here at Chaminade, I started to look for a cause to blog about. In my search, I was able to find a cause that many people may be unfamiliar with, but it’s a cause that many people should take a look into, which is Cystic Fibrosis. Another factor which helped me make my decision to write about Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the fact that one of my best friends has the disease.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

People living with cystic fibrosis must follow a regular treatment routine to stay healthy and maintain optimal lung function. Most often, treatment for cystic fibrosis begins with techniques to trigger strong coughs that help loosen and clear thick mucus from the airways. Of course, airway clearance is just one part of the treatment routine. Nutrition and drug therapies are also important for children and adults with cystic fibrosis.

I’ll have more on this issue, as well as a more in-depth look into how this disease can be defeated in coming blog posts. If you would like more information, you can check out the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as well as Our CF Matters Hawaii, a blog that my friend has that discusses CF at the local level.

It’s been a while since I’ve written on my blog, so it’s always great to have some free time to be able to write about my experiences with the end of my first year in college. In order to keep myself busy, I decided that it’d be a great idea to take summer school, and I’m glad that I took the opportunity to get some credits in and to keep my mind sharp. Of course, being that it’s summer vacation, the campus is pretty mellow. Very seldom would I see a friend or fellow classmate around, so it’s a stark contrast from the school year. I was really lucky to be able to take a week long vacation to visit family last month in California, as it was a nice break from the islands, and a great way to reward myself for a job well done during the school year.

Next year seems to have a lot of fun activities set for me when school gets back in session on August 27th. Of course, being involved in Campus Ministry is something that I’ll continue to be a part of, as well as being treasurer for the Civic Engagement Club and Sophomore Class Senator. Being able to work with a lot of different people, and getting to meet other students from all over the world is such a great experience, and I can’t wait until I’ll be able to do that again. Well, until then, I intend on working on my summer classes, (as finals are this week) and get some quality time at the beach. Until then, hope you all have a great summer!

One of the cool things that I think Chaminade offers is different ways of giving back to others. I was able to take advantage of such an opportunity today, when I attended a blood drive with the Blood Bank of Hawaii. In between classes, I was able to donate a pint of blood, which has the potential of saving three lives. I’m glad to have been able to make an impact on the community in a small way as giving blood, and at the same time get over my insignificant phobia of needles.

Donating Blood was a easy and quick way to make a difference in the community, it only took thirty minutes for me to donate blood!

My colorful Neon/Pastel Band-aid that I received after my donation, as well as the juice and snacks that come with it!

This past weekend was one full of various student events! Last Thursday, I was able to attend the opening night of the Spring Musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Being one of the first musicals that I’ve attended in person, I was pleasantly surprised to be entertained by a witty, comedic performance by Chaminade’s Theater department. The performance was abuzz with laughter as students, faculty, and the general public enjoyed themselves.

The Cast of the Chaminade Spring Musical (Picture Courtesy of Brittany Torres)

Last Friday, one of the largest student events of the semester took place. Chaminade’s International Extravaganza was an exhibition event for seven student clubs on campus to show off the different cultures which their cultures represent. Various clubs such as the Chaminade Ohana Steppers, Hawaiian Club,  Indigo Lotusit Belly Dancers, La Familia Mexicana, Lumana’i O Samoa,  Tahitian Club, Micronesian Club showed off their various cultural dances and rituals, which were the highlight for the large amount of students, faculty, staff and administration who came to  see the performance. Check out some pictures from  the night!

The Chaminade Indigo Lotusit Belly Dancing Club

Chaminade's Tahitian Club Performing

The Chaminade Ohana Steppers Club

Hawaiian Club Performing

Chaminade Hispanic Club, La Familia Mexicana Performing

Chaminade's Lumana'i O Samoa ended the night with their performance