Stepping into Spring

Hoooooo boyyy it's been a little while since I've made a post! I've been thinking about blogging for the past month but haven't made time to just sit and do it... so here I am, almost 2 months later, doin the best I can :)

The past couple months have been busier and busier. I'll try to sum up a few of the high lights...

Joe came to visit last month which was great fun! We went to our Aunt Maryann's condo in Stone Harbor to help her tear out her kitchen so the new kitchen could come in... Then Joe came back to Wickatunk with me and came to school with me for a day... We also got to visit with our Aunt Bern and Uncle Ray- they live 20 minutes from me. They had a little cake to have an early birthday celebration since Joe and I wouldn't be together on our birthday (for those of you who don't know, Joe and I share a birthday but he's three years younger than me). It meant so much to me that they thought of us in that way!

For my birthday, I went to my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Jim's beach house in Avalon with my roommates. We went down Friday right after school and stayed through Sunday. The weather wasn't great on Saturday but it cleared up Sunday. It was really nice to get away and relax!! I lived at their house two summers ago so it was also fun to go back and see all the old memories flash back :) This is one of the only pics I have cuz we were just havin a good time doin a lot of nothing!

Last week I went home for our spring break! I got to see a couple friends, visit with my family, and also be a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding! Crystal was my bible study leader during my freshman and sophomore years of college so I was honored to be in her wedding :) We had her bachelorette party Tuesday night, which was a blast because all the girls hadn't been together in over 2 years... Then the rehearsal was Wednesday night and we went to Boulder after that. Thursday was the wedding... so fun! We all met Crystal for lunch before going to get photos. I also got put in charge of setting up the center pieces for the reception. 'Parently you get called upon to do any sort of slightly-possibly- in any way- artistic jobs when you have a degree in desgin ;) I joke but I really do love it... Anyways, it was raining a little bit as the ceremony started and the bridal party walked down the isle (the ceremony was outside) but right as Crystal came to the front of the isle, the sun came out and it cleared up with a rainbow to top it off! :) The ceremony was really really beautiful and was a great reflection of Crystal and Kirk's story. We had sooo much fun at the reception and went out with the bridal party to Boulder again after the reception... I put an album on Facebook with lots of pics but here are a few of Crystal:

As a final highlight, the students all got to do "earth day activities" one day last week at school. I co-organized window painting with Earth day messages on our courtyard windows... here are a few pics of what the kids did :)

Soooo long story short, it's been a busy but fun couple of months! I'm still trying to search out what I want to do next year and what I'm doing with my life for the next few years but I'm trusting that God and time will tell... I'll try to keep you posted more often of the happenings in Wickatunk :)

Beauty-filled

Last weekend I went to visit my friend, Emily Koenning, in Emmitsburg, MD, and my dad in Virgina. We had a 4 day weekend so I took the time to go on a mini road trip :) It's crazy how close together things are here. I drove through Pennsylvania to get to Emmitsburg on Saturday morning. I really enjoyed the drive through Pennsylvania... One of Emily's students thought I was crazy for liking it but I won't lie, there's a lot of farming/amish country around the PA turnpike which I love... simplicity sings to me. When I got to Emmitsburg, we went to a big slide at a park near Emily's house... It was a couple stories high and made of wood... You can never be to old for fun in a park :)

Later that day we went to the grotto on the campus of Mount Saint Mary's- where Emily is a missionary... It was so so beautiful. There were paths through the woods with waterfalls, the stations and meditations of the rosary along the paths... Later, we went into Gettysburg and had dinner. We drove through the fields where the Battle of Gettysburg took place-- it was a strange realization to be driving through a field that was once dominated by such a brutal battle! Downtown Gettysburg was really neat- lots of awesome historical architecture and design :) That night we went back to Em's house and there were students and other missionaries hanging out and playing music. Sunday morning, we went to mass at the church on campus and then we went to a brunch for women on campus. It was very inspiring to be among faithful college students again... they were so passionate about the dignity of women! After the brunch, Emily and I went back to her house and looked at wedding stuff for her wedding next summer! yay!! I'm so happy for her and TJ! I have over 10 friends who are engaged which is crazy but really exciting! This time of life is so funny (ironic) because there are so many weddings and babies, yet our grandparents' generation is aging and passing on.... tis the circle of life.

Ok back to my trip- Sunday evening I drove down to Manassas, VA, where my dad was staying with my aunt. We had dinner for my cousin's birthday Sunday night and played games- always a good laugh with the fam :) Monday, my dad, Aunt Maryann and I went to a Marine Corps museum and then out to lunch at a greek restaurant. The museum was huge and really well done! It's shocking to see what the marines went through back then as well as a reality check of what our service men and women go through now. I'm very thankful for all our troops because I know I could not do what they do.

I've been trying to heal my spiritual life recently and my trip to PA/VA was definitely a great start to that process... I also went to a healing mass the other night and wanted to share a message I read in their handout because I found it very comforting. It was labeled as "A message to Anne, a lay apostle, February 2012." God works in mysterious ways ;) Anyway, here it is:

Dear Apostles, your faith makes you beautiful. I am watching you as you receive graces from heaven. Your heart is transformed, little by little, and your service to Me is purified and becoming more unblemished by self interest. Your life is changing in many ways. Perhaps you are leaving one type of service for another or completing a task that has held your attention for a long time. Perhaps you are laying down a heavy cross of suffering and being released from it so that you can serve more freely in another way. Perhaps, dear apostle, you are awaiting your next heavenly assignment and you are eager to move on to it. Or you are simply serving faithfully as best you can in the work that is yours each day. Regardless, you believe, and you are trying to live that belief. This makes you beautiful to Me. Yes, faithfulness to me consoles the world. The little pocket of faithfulness you contribute is like a sign that directs the eyes of others to the next life. Others look at you and understand that not everyone lives for this life. They understand that even if you are wrong about eternity, hope in eternity exists. My friends, you do not realize the value of that hope for someone in a moment when all hope seems lost. Poor humanity. We must bring hope to the world through our committed service to the Father. And if you find your hope challenged, then you must explain to Me the source of your pain. Come to Me in the silence of your heart and I will listen to your grief. I will console you. I will show you that the power of heaven can heal the gravest hurts and the cruelest sufferings. I will restore you. Please believe me. It is in the interest of all humanity that you possess the hope needed for others. Yes, you are beautiful to me... You are beautiful.

Be The Change...

Next weekend marks the half way point for my year with GSV! It's exciting, sad and crazy to think that this is so temporary. So much has happened in the last 5 months and I can only imagine what's in store for the rest of the year.

We hit the ground running after Christmas break... Good Shepherd teamed up with WedCo for a day of service in the Bronx on MLK day. We picked up a ton of trash and helped paint a mural in an affordable housing project. It was humbling to see how happy and thankful the locals were when they saw us cleaning up the streets.

Our drama production of "Bang, Bang You're Dead" was in mid-January. The students were phenomenal. The play was about a school shooting and had an anti-bullying message. It was very dark material but the students were all so mature.

Last weekend (January 27-29) I was in Deleware visiting my Uncle Pat, Aunt Pam, and cousins Victoria, Jack and Nolan. We had a really nice visit! Saturday morning, we went to Jack's basketball game- very cute to watch all the kids :) Then, Aunt Pam and I went to a huge indoor farmers market and got lots of fresh yummy food to make dinner together Saturday night. Then I went to PA for my cousin's (Kelly) birthday brunch on Sunday!

This past weekend was our simplicity and social justice retreat... can you guess what we discussed? ... I actually really liked it. I love trying to live a simple life... Things I try to do to live simply? Buy fair trade, eat healthy foods, recycle, enjoy nature, reduce clutter in heart and home, reduce water usage... I definitely can't afford to buy everything fair trade or organic right now, but ideally, I would. We also talked about social justice and helping people in need. I'm really passionate about eradicating human trafficking and poverty as well as supporting equality in education... These are all huuuuuge topics so I'm excited to explore different ways to be informed and involved. If you're interested in being involved, you can also make a difference... http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/signature-campaign-social-protection-floor/sign.html this is a link to a petition for the Social Protection Floor Initiative. With enough votes, countries would be required to make changes to reduce poverty and ensure that everyone had access to basic health care, food, and other essential services for living. When people are poor, they are more susceptible to human trafficking because they are desperate to make money. This campaign would help reduce/eliminate poverty, thus hopefully eliminating trafficking and other social issues. I feel like this is a lofty goal for the UN but at the same time, we are not called to be timid with our actions. Matthew 8:26 says "He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." I was extremely humbled when I was reading the petition and this verse popped into my head. But I guess if you "cannot do great things, do little things (like taking 10 seconds to sign the petition) with great love" (Mother Theresa) Ok ok, enough of my little social justice soap box... I'm just very passionate about all of this and sending a message of human dignity throughout the world!

Alrighty, I must go to bed. I've been working on really taking care of myself-- eating well and sleeping more... I've got the work out down so it's just a matter of getting the other two in check ;) As always, I miss my family and send many hugs and kisses to you in CO and WA... xoxoxoxo

PS- fun fact: I love pintrest.... and need to get off of it cuz I'm addicted.

New Birth

This new year brought about new life in many ways. Being home with my family was rejuvenating and, of course, too short! I got home just in time for Christmas with snow on the ground and all the family home <3 We all spent the day together relaxing, eating derishious food, and playing games. Monday, I did the traditional day-after-Christmas shopping with Kate, Lucy and my madre to do Christmas returns, exchanges, gift card spending, etc. I spent the rest of the week catching up with friends and spending time with my family... it was really a wonderful visit and I cherish every moment at home :)

Unfortunately, I returned to New Jersey and learned of the passing of my Nana, my mom's mom. I've had moments of sadness and moments of peace, all the while knowing that she's in a better place and has been given new life. The services were this past weekend and they were incredibly beautiful and reflective of my Nana. People from all over came to pay respects. Many stories were told of the lives she touched. She was a mother of 7, grandmother to 21, great-grandmother to 3 with one on the way, a nurse, wife, and friend. She made the most of her life and has inspired many to do the same. As we walk into a new year, I am encouraged to live a life full of hope and love. I was very inspired by my Nana's faith... the front page of the program for the funeral mass was Matthew 25:23- "Well done, good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of the Lord." We all make mistakes, but to show up each day and try to be faithful and good in the eyes of the Lord gives me great hope and joy.

The passing of my Nana has been unsettling, yet has provided me an opportunity to step back and thoughtfully begin 2012. The first week back to school was very hectic trying to tie all the loose ends from before Christmas while sorting through emotions. After the weekend of funeral services, I came back tired, but hopeful in the mission of the sisters of the Good Shepherd. My Nana was known for how she loved people beyond their outward appearances and actions. As I begin the new year, I am reminded to love the students here in the same way each and every day. After all, "one person is of more value than a world."- St Mary Euphrasia

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Inside Macy's

Serendipity!!

Nativity in St Patrick's

Rockefeller Center

I'm in the middle of packing so this won't be long but here's a little update on things...

Last week was the music show. The students did an amazing job and I was so humbled to be a part of such a great show! It was incredible to see the kids get up in front of people... not easy, especially for some of our students. One of our seniors has an awesome voice and it's so fun to be able to work with her and listen to her sing.

This week has been flying by-- it seems there are more things to do each day that need to be finished by the end of the week! Yikes! But, nonetheless, the Christmas spirit keeps us going and the week is almost finished :) My community-mate/roommate has been working on a holiday video that we filmed over the past month (staff members dressed as elves, santa, etc doing various things) so we'll have an assembly tomorrow to show the students the video. After the video, we (4 teachers and me) will play "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" Bruce Springsteen style, and santa will come in bearing gifts for all the students... he gives each student a Collier High School hoodie! The administration at our school is very generous! I'm sure it will be a fun and emotional day tomorrow and I'm looking forward to all of it :)

Ok... I gotta run and get my laundry, eat, pack, etc.... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! I feel incredibly blessed by the family and friends I have been/will be surrounded by! Wishing you a very wonderful holiday and many joys in the new year. xoxoxoxo

Reflections

I felt moved to reflect a little on the readings from mass this weekend.... I've included the second reading and the gospel, just because I felt more inspired by these two... here we go...


"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this."
-1 Thes 5:16-24

Thus far in my life, I've found most situations (even the bad) to be good in hindsight. In the moment, it's difficult to remember this. Some things in life simply suck! I also believe that sometimes we do not get to see the good in our situations... the will for our life may impact someone else's life and we will never know. I know there are people in my life who have made such a positive difference in forming who I am, or have told me an inspiring story about someone else they know, but I may never get to tell them how much I appreciate them. Whether moments in our life impact us directly or impact those around us, there is a purpose for each moment. Therefore, "refrain from every kind of evil" and "may you entirely (spirt, soul and body) be preserved", for God is faithful :)


"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No." They said to him then, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing."

-John 1: 6-8, 19-28

I was talking with my Aunt Bern about this passage this weekend. First, we talked about the verse when John says "He was not the light, but he came to testify to the light". Aunt Bern was telling me about being an instrument and simply being. She was saying that all we need to do is be still and steadfast in our faith/instrument and God will create the music. This gives me hope when I feel like I've failed to be a witness... It's so counter-cultural and at times 'uncool' to live out your faith at my age, but I have to be honest with others and myself. I truly treasure my faith and relationship with God. That being said, I often feel conflicted when I try to live my faith in a world that doesn't always support it. Soooooo back to my original point, I love what Aunt Bern said about just being the instrument and letting God do the rest :) (I've heard this analogy a hundred times but for some reason it really struck a cord with me this weekend)I was also moved by the rest of this passage because the priests and Levites asked John who he was... By the way he lived his life, they became curious and asked if he was a prophet, Elijah, etc. When they asked, he told the truth and stood up for what he knew. I don't expect that anyone will ask me these questions because I am definitely not that holy, but I can hope that the way I live is a witness to God. And thank God for His forgiveness because I know I mess up. A lot ;)

Anyways, these are my thoughts... maybe you were inspired too... or maybe not... But either way, I hope you're enjoying the holiday season and can take some time to reflect or do something that speaks to your spirit :)

At Christmas, all roads lead home. ~Marjorie Holmes

Things are getting very hectic here at Collier. Next week is the music show... All of the students are busy getting their songs together. Some of the kids are playing songs as a band (one student on drums, one on guitar, one on bass, one singing etc.), some are singing solos/in the choir. I took head shots of all the students in the show today and we'll hang them in the lobby next week so everyone can see who's in the show.

I started teaching health last week. It's going well so far! I have four students and they're all very well behaved. They're all quiet so it can make teaching difficult... it's tricky to keep them engaged. We've been talking about exercise and we'll probably move on to nutrition next week followed by stress management. Any teachers out there with suggestions for high school students? Comments and suggestions are more than greatly appreciated ;)

We are also in the midst of lots of rehearsals for our play in January. The students rehearse during school hours because they are all bused from all over NJ. Rehearsing in the evening isn't possible for some of them, since the bus is their only transportation to/from school (parents working/not in the picture/etc). Because the show is next month, we've begun rehearsing 3-4 periods twice a week. They get pulled from classes, but they are expected to keep up with their work. It's been really neat to work with the drama students... They're almost different people when they can do what they love to do during the day :)

Last weekend we went on a bed and breakfast tour in Spring Lake, a shore town about 45 minutes from here. The B&Bs were all old victorian houses and were all decorated for Christmas. It was a TON of fun!! I LOVE that stuff. Makes me reconsider design and historical preservation. Anyway, we had a great time with our support people and another teacher from our school. One of the B&Bs was chosen to be on Design star! The design was really beautiful. Here are some pics!

The next 3 pics are from Design Star rooms

Outside one of the B&Bs... love

This one backs right up to the shore... so pretty!

I'm soooo excited to go home for the holidays and see my family!! To be totally honest, I'm not sure how I'm going to visit with all of my friends. I know I won't see everyone I want to see. So please bear with me... I'm only home for a verrrrry short period of time. But we're having a holiday party at our house on the 27th so hopefully I'll get to see lots of friends there :) I'm just so so excited to see everyone!

Well I gotta run... I have chicken parm in the oven while I sit here blogging and listening to Christmas music :) Cider and rum while watching home alone is on the menu for later tonight... It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!