Getting busy by the day.

I did not think that I would get this busy in just a month and not get time to give you an update in two weeks!! I have had a little bit of a busy schedule in the past two weeks. I thought that I should give you an update of my time at Pepperdine, before it’s too late. Sounds good? Here we go!!

                September 15^th was founder’s day here at Pepperdine. I was a proud representative of my beloved country, Uganda. All the representatives of various countries at Pepperdine we dressed in gowns and we had those caps on as if we were graduating! But what can I say? I got the feeling and impression of the gown, so wearing it on my actual graduation day will be just as normal. At the same time, I cannot wait to wear it again. That same week, I had the opportunity to go to Macy’s passport/ Glamorama in LA. I had a wonderful time watching models do their thing and hang out with some of the most incredible people that I know.

                I am reliably aware that the chief Justice of the republic of Uganda has been at Pepperdine this past week. Can you imagine that I have missed him? I mean Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki. He was hosted by the school of law. He was given a tour of campus by a fellow student from Uganda. I was in class at the time. He attended service at the University Church of Christ this morning, but I had already gone to our Lady of Malibu, a catholic church.

                I had my first major biology test, this past week on Thursday. I will not comment further about it for now and I hope I will not be asked many questions regarding the test.  I joined a bible study group which meets every Tuesday at 5:00 P.M. I love so many things about this Bible study group, but most importantly, they serve free food, wow! It does not get better than that, I mean I save some points on my meal plan!!!!!LoL

                I have three major tests this week and a biology research project to begin. It is all good and God has everything under control.

Last night, I went to the glow at the Santa Monica Pier. It was so much fun with the guys! It could have been much better with the g-r-s. Peace and love

Is it really three weeks now?

Today is exactly three weeks, since I came to California. For some reason, everyday I feel like I have been here for a longer time than 3 weeks.

This past week has been a little cool, but I was told that in California, people do not agree that it ever gets cool. So, I had to wear shorts, flip flops,  and no sweat shirt, or jacket to look like someone from California. I did that for two days. I then decided to act like I am surely out of state. I now wear my jacket whenever it is a little cool!!!!

I had my first quiz at Pepperdine this week in my religion class. My very first homework was due earlier this week on Tuesday. Everything is so far so good. I have no complaint. I am getting more and more comfortable with my suite-mates as well as my professors and other friends. This week, I decided to change my room around, since I do not have a roommate. I raised my bed and now I sleep close to God!!I am yet to add some color to it!!

Pepperdine has a long record of service. This past Saturday was step forward day. Many Pepperdine students at the Malibu campus and those oversees, as well as alumni step forward to do voluntary work. I volunteered to work at a middle school in Calabasas. Volunteering at this middle school is one of the most meaningful things I have done at Pepperdine so far.  My longtime sponsor and friend Larry Hashbarger picked me up for lunch on Saturday after step forward. We went to Santa Monica and had a wonderful time catching up with each other. We enjoyed the company of each other. I love you, Larry! you are my hero!


I have started to get involved in the Catholic Church down the road from Pepperdine. This morning in Church, I did the first reading from the Book of Exodus32:7-11, 13-14.

I have to finish my home work now before I go to bed!! May the Good Lord, who protects us from all anxiety and fears keep you safe till my next update.chao

Another week in Malibu is now history!

It is exactly two weeks now, since I came to California. I am almost finding it hard to believe, as it seems like I have been here for ages. But, I have to convince myself that I have only been here for two weeks.

 I hate to begin this update of my adventures at Pepperdine with a sad story. But, as I promised to tell you everything that I deem necessary and worth knowing, I will go ahead and talk about the sad story. We began the semester with the tragic death of a freshman student. I do not feel comfortable disclosing his name right now. He was 18 yrs old, but he did not leave to sit in a college class. He endured all the long days of new student orientation, but he did not leave to experience and be a part of all that Pepperdine has to offer. Last Sunday night, the Pepperdine community held a memorial in honor of him. It was so amazing to see and hear what this young man's new friends at Pepperdine wrote about him. I could not help myself, but join everyone in mourning the tragic death of a young man. After the memorial service,  I was challenged to appreciate life even more: to appreciate every single second of my life, and everything that  I have in my life. My faith was re-affirmed that God is indeed the giver and taker of life. May his soul rest in peace.

It was 6.00A.M on Monday morning when I realized that I was awake. I had my alarm set for 6.30A.M, but I was annoyingly up earlier. I forced myself to sleep for another 30 minutes only to be disappointed further. Now that I could not go back to sleep, I got my Jesus calling and read it as usual.  While I read my devotional, I was so cold, but I soon found out that I had not closed the windows before I went to bed.  My classes were not scheduled to start until 9.00A.M, but I was ready to rock and roll by 7.20A.M. I thought that I was ridiculous, but some of my suite-mates were ready to go way earlier than that.  I could not wait for 9 o'clock for I was surely more than ready for the first day.

The first class was biology of animals. We went through the syllabus and immediately started covering some of the course material. I was shocked and disappointed in the professor, as I was used to going through only the syllabus on the first day of class.  I my mind, I was telling myself, "welcome to Pepperdine, Francis." The next class I had scheduled for the day was calculus 1. I unfortunately had to drop out this class, since I had not done trigonometry before. I ended up signing up for a trig class with the same professor. I had religion as my last class of the day.  I must say that I feel like I have been to Pepperdine for a year. I feel like I already know all my professors and many students as well. Just on Monday, I met many students who have been to Uganda. Just by introducing myself and saying that I come from Uganda, was enough to make me feel at home in my first biology class. I found out that day that the professor had been to Kenya and he knew so much about Uganda. A few students introduced me to their friends who had been to Uganda, or even told me about their own experiences in Uganda. I was feeling the Ugandan ambassador at Pepperdine!!! Uganda is famous!!!

Later on in the week,  I joined the micro finance club in which I was given a leadership position. I went to dinner with my mentor. I went swimming anytime my schedule allowed. I applied and interviewed for a job, but most of all, I am making friends and getting to know more people at pepperdine.

Now that I am done with all my homework, nothing is going to stop me, I am ready to go to the beach. I do not know where, but I am going!!!! I heard my suite-mates talk about Santa Barbra last night and my mentor told me about Labor day under sun.....Can I say NO????Really??? What would you say if you were in my shoes especially in Malibu???

I will be back soon, chao!