I thought it would be fun to reflect back and pick out my "Top 10 Moments" of my first year as an LV. (you'll want to read the whole thing, I promise...)
And so, here are:
CHRISTOPHER'S TOP 10 MOMENTS
FROM YEAR ONE OF LV!!
10. Exploring the East Coast and New England Area: As you may remember from reading, I was able to spend weekends visiting different volunteers along the East Coast, while also exploring and sightseeing the beautiful northeastern part of the US. Its amazing how close everything is in this part of the country, and really, how quickly you are able to get out of NYC and enjoy the beauty around. I cannot wait to see what year 2 will bring driving around/taking buses and trains to see different areas.
9. Attempting to make "Paranormal Activity: Bedford Park": In the fall, our community television was out of order for over a week, waiting for repair. Kenny, Steph, Jen and I decided we were going to get crafty and recreate the Paranormal Activity movies, seeing as we had recently watched them. The first few days of filming went great, but it was really amazing to see how much we were getting in our own heads and becoming afraid of our own house that we were living in. Needless to say, the filming ended, but there is some great, comedic footage on my computer if at anytime anyone would like to see our attempted project.
8. LV Retreats: Throughout the year, the Lasallian Volunteers meet up a total of 4 times to share in community through different retreats. These retreats were strategically placed to provide for a break away from the service sites and allow for us to come together and share our experiences. So many laughs and good memories were formed during these long weekends away. With such a strong group of LVs this year, I know we are going to have just as much fun, if not more, on retreats this year!
7. Lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree: Being in New York, there were so many different tourist-y activities I wanted to attend, and this was for surely a highlight. It is incredible to watch this year after year on TV, and then all of a sudden I am a member standing in the audience seeing it LIVE! Aside from the rude woman in front of me at the beginning, the holiday spirit was overflowing and was contagious to those who may not have had as much!
6. Living the New York theatre scene: My initial reaction to being placed in New York was "Oh good, I can see a lot of theatre!!" Then I received my first stipend and realized all the real-world items I would have to purchase aka responsibilities to save and got nervous. However, very quickly I learned of general rush policies and lottery lines and was able to see shows at such large discount prices. It was such a fun experience watching a show and applying what I learned for 4 years at Lewis; lighting, sound, costume, directing styles, set, etc. If I had to peg my favorite show from my first year its a toss up between Once: A New Musical or Peter and the Starcatcher.
5. Completing a Half Marathon: It is still such a proud accomplishment to look back and think that I ran and completed a half marathon. If you would have told me a year ago I would actually enjoy running, I would have dropped to the ground gasping for air because I'd be laughing so hard. Through generous family and friends donating to a program I love, I found a hidden motivation to show everyone what I was made of! Stay tuned for more information regarding Year 2, and what run I will do this year...
4. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: This is another one of those tourist-y things I just HAD to do while living in New York. From my earliest years, this parade has always been my favorite and truly a dream to attend. The balloons, the floats, the atmosphere, the EVERYTHING was incredible, and I feel so lucky to say that I have finally attended and a dream came true. If I could change just one thing, I would want to be sitting on the bleachers outside Macy's on 34th Street where all the performers stop, but beggars cant be choosers when given such an exciting opportunity!
3. Going on the Kairos Retreat (really any...) with my students: Being able to bring my students away on various weekend retreats was such a highlighted moment in my service year. There is something about bringing city kids out into the country and mountains that brings about a new side of them. The reverence demonstrated towards the reflections, prayers, and all in between really made my job so enjoyable to be with them! I cannot wait to see those students become leaders this year, and share those special moments with retreatants to come!
2. My community becoming family: Within any family there are disagreements and arguments, but as I reflect back on my year, I don't know if I would be who I am today without the experience of sharing community with the brothers and volunteers. In the end, we were able to learn from one another and really share some pretty funny moments. To this day, I still believe Bedford Park is the best community to be a part of in the LV Program ;).
and the #1 moment of Christopher's Year One Experiences is...
1. BECOMING A LOUGHLINITE!: Working at Bishop Loughlin MHS has really made such an impact on who I am as a person, and what I want to do in my life! I will forever be a Loughlinite, taking "pride" in the Lions and who they are. It is in the amazing relationships formed with the students, faculty, administration, and anyone who passes through our doors, that I am truly blessed and honored to be able to call myself a Loughlinite through it all!
So Year 2, whatcha got for me?! I am ready to go!!
Live Jesus In Our Hearts. Forever!
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