Slowing Down

I had a cold two weeks ago, got rid of it, and apparently didn't get enough of it the first time, because it came back this week. I also had a day and a half spell of being light headed which is no fun... Annnnd, the show must go on! I took it as a sign that I needed to slowwwww downnnnnn. I've been on the run constantly this year so it was actually a welcomed break to be forced into rest.

There's a very high chance that I'll be teaching a health class, starting after Thanksgiving. I'm super excited about this opportunity! I may be teaching with another volunteer or on my own- it's not clear yet... but I think it would be another great learning experience. I've been thinking a lot about my last blog and the origin of issues I discussed. I've decided a lot of it comes down to personal health! Healthy eating habits, self-respect, respect for others, taking care of your body physically, emotionally, sexually, spiritually, mentally, etc. With that said, I've gotten really excited about the idea of teaching health. It's definitely something I'm passionate about and can be fun to teach/learn about... I'll keep you posted as this unfolds :)

With Thanksgiving next week, I wanted to say a little bit about what I'm thankful for. My list could probably be pretty lengthy... Sooo I'm going to make a list of the first 10 things that come to mind:

1. My family: My Mom and Dad, Kate, Nathan, Joe and Lucy... I love you from the bottom of my heart

2. My faith and God: I would not be here without the Lord, and my faith is what gets me through each day

3. My friends: I am speechless. I have been truly blessed by each of you.

4. This experience in Wickatunk: truly life changing

5. Food and shelter

6. New experiences, challenges and adventures... as well as all of the experiences, challenges and adventures that have lead me to where I am now

7. Little joys: ex: tiny bubbles coming out of a soap bottle or getting a letter in the mail :)

8. The support from my immediate/extended family and friends: I am so humbled and hope I can reciprocate what you have given to me

9. The peace of a new day in the morning

10. Life

I feel like my blogs have been pretty scattered recently but hopefully you can still follow them... God bless you all this coming week with the holiday! Safe travels to all travelers! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Past Week in Photos...

Fall at Collier

My Mom and Dad and I at the wedding

Uncle Pat and Aunt Nancy (my godparents)

A few cousins and aunts/uncles with Nana

Cousins/Kids Table

Lovin' in Philly (not the real thing but close enough hehe)

My roommates and I took a day trip to Philly today!

The first Senate room

Liberty Bell

City Hall-- Also the home of another "Occupy" protest

Each of us handcrafted

November? Already!? Weeks continue to fly by... I probably post a sentence about how fast time flies in each blog haha... last weekend I got to go visit my Aunt Cathy, Uncle Jim, Kelly and Nana in PA. It was such a great visit! We got snowed in on Saturday... Saturday evening the power went out so we ate dinner by candle light and played Rummikub by candle/flashlight-- it was qutie the scene ;) Sunday, Kel and I got lunch out and ran a few errands. It was definitely too short, but a fun and relaxed visit!

Here's a little taste of what makes my school weeks fly:
Last Monday, my roommates and I dressed up as winnie the pooh characters for Halloween at school. I blogged earlier about the theme for the school year (it was a quote from christopher robin), which is where we got the idea for the costumes (see my FB for a pic of me as pooh). In the evening, I went to my Aunt Bern's and helped her hand out candy.
Tuesday, we went to NYC for a dinner fundraiser all evening after school.
Wednesday we had another day of training on the ropes course to get zip line certified.
Thursday we left right after school for an alternative school conference in Atlantic City and stayed over night through Friday.
Friday evening, Aleks and I caught the train to NYC and then came back Saturday afternoon. When we got home, I went for a run, ate dinner and then we had spirituality night.
Today Christina and I served all afternoon at one of the school teacher's parents' 50th anniversary party.... needless to say, the days fly by faster than I can type.

Being so close to NYC has definitely provided lots of opportunities to go into the city. Along with this comes a ton of fun as well as the realization of the brokenness of the city. It makes me so sad to see how addiction to food, sex, alcohol, drugs, etc. has consumed a lot of our society. I'm reading a book from a friend about cravings... everyone craves and everyone is tempted. It goes all the way back to Eve being tempted by food in the garden. I believe everyone craves a relationship with God and unconditional love (whether or not that's how we recognize it), but we're tempted and choose to fill it with other things that we think will satisfy this hunger. We've all fallen guilty to it at one time or another at different levels. I know I have. How do you satisfy your hunger? Choosing to fill the hunger with these worldly things will only temporarily fulfill us. I think a lot of the media feeds us messages about focusing on "me" and "now". How can I be satisfied in the fastest way possible? I posted a FB status quote today from Ingrid Michaelson's song called Everybody. The quote is: "Everybody, everybody wants to love. Everybody, everybody wants to be loved." I think she's trying to get a point across when she repeats the word 'everybody'. Everybody wants to love. Everybody wants to be loved. Just as you and I crave and are tempted, so are our neighbors. Just as you want to be loved, I want to be loved. I pray for the courage to live my life in a way that would reflect the dignity of each person as a son or daughter of God, loved unconditionally by Him. All of this definitely ties to our GSV tenant of social justice. Social justice goes much deeper than it appears... we visited the UN recently and talked with some religious sisters who are connected to the UN and advocate for justice, particularly with women and children. I'm so inspired by people who choose to live radically for the betterment of our world. It's one thing for me to be uncomfortable with these things I see in NYC. It's another thing for me to do something about it. I'm gonna think about what to do and I'll get back to you :) In the mean time, let me know if you have ideas! ...Sorry about the rant... I just felt inspired to write about it :)
(Photos from top to bottom: A quote at the UN; An artsy take on the Human Rights; One of the Human Rights; the General Assembly)










Last night for spirituality night, we made collages of our experience so far and the things that have inspired us or been part of our growth. Here's a picture of mine... not my most artistic piece, but fun :)



Woops this post is a little long! I may not write for a little while... Next weekend is my cousin's wedding so I get to see my parents!! I'm so excited! I'll write more when I can :)