One year down...

...where did the time go?!

I cannot believe that it has already been one full school year in my Lasallian Volunteer experience! Crazy! As with any school year, it gets extremely busy towards the end, and again that has affected my blogging. :/.

It has been so beautiful in NY it is sometimes hard to be inside school all day, but then when it comes to the weekend, I find no energy to go out and explore and be active. Its basically a lose-lose situation. In the month of May, it was non-stop action; proctor the SAT, LaSalle Days at Loughlin, a retreat with the faculty, clean out the office, Debriefing Retreat in Chicago, and a site visit from our new LV in community next year. It was all so much fun! From that month of May, I'm going to highlight events: LaSalle Days and Debriefing Retreat.

This year, for LaSalle Days, we focused our theme around Br. Dominic Jordan, a brother who worked for our sister school in Nyeri, Kenya, and sadly passed away earlier this year. We created a button of him for out-of-uniform day, celebrated his life through prayer, and highlighted the school as much as possible. We also participated in an international Lasallian project called "Many Stars, One LaSalle". The concept is to get all of the Lasallian schools and agencies around the world to create a human star (the Lasallian symbol) and have it be a part of a slideshow to be created and shown next spring! For the conclusion of our LaSalle Days at school, I made it a project to create a Loughlin Star! :D. We ended the week with an awesome assembly viewing the LVs Ride Documentary (the Lasallian movement, coast-to-coast bike ride, to raise awareness for the program and the break the cycle of poverty) as a student body, and then began our formation in the yard. In the end, we were able to create our star, and it truly represents Loughlin's personality in all that it looks.

Loughlin's "Many Stars, One LaSalle"

The other exciting moment for the month of May was our LV Debriefing Retreat. Looking from the outside, it is an exciting to come together with my LV family and see all my friends who I can only usually see through their facebooks when I stalk them, but this was an opportunity to share a weekend together! :D. We had a lot of fun, and were able to really take some time to come together and reflect and somewhat relax before going in for the home stretch of our year. I was most excited about this retreat because it was finally time for me to cut my hair! I'm not sure if I had mentioned it previously, but I decided after Midyear Retreat to not cut my hair, in support of donating it to cancer patients for wigs, etc. It seemed like a good idea initially, until realizing the time it would add in the morning getting ready and such, so getting it cut was a huge highlight. I shared in the moment with 8 other LV's and our director of the program! In the end, it all went to a great cause, I can say that I am proud I was able to donate such a significant to someone who will truly appreciate it! 

Before the cutting of the hair began; I had to have my hair put into small ponytails for the donation. 

Br. Fez came along for moral support as I am finishing up getting my hair buzzed off!! 

The whole group after our cuts.
 The signs represent who we did the hair donation in memory of/motivation to donate

With May being such a busy month, I was hoping for a calmer June, but that was wishful thinking. On June 2, we graduated 195 seniors from Bishop Loughlin, and what an exciting day to celebrate! Over the year, I really grew close to our seniors, and I kept telling myself that I would not be sad to see them go, and would be able to hold it together, but I was sadly mistaken. These students truly became mine over the service year, and I really appreciated all they did to help welcome me to Loughlin. It is a weird feeling without them in school, but I know they are all going to go far, and remember to come and visit Mr. Hueg when home on breaks ;). But really, it was a beautiful celebration, and they are going to really dominate their college experiences! 

After graduation, I got the opportunity to go see a show that night that I have been craving to see before the Tony Awards happened: Once. If you heard about the movie in 2006, it follows the same story line about a relationship between "Guy" and "Girl" through music and different ways of communication. Truly amazing. I was happy to be able to finally see it, and understand what all the buzz was about. As a bonus, at our performance, I had a great celebrity sighting, and feel it will remain at the top of my list for my years here in New York: NEIL PATRICK HARRIS! Just casually milling out of the theater, I literally ran into him and couldn't get my act together in time to say his name, his tagline, ask for a picture, etc. I definitely need some practice so I don't miss the next opportunity. Lol. Nonetheless, he seemed a nice guy, and later went on the next weekend to host an awesome Tony Awards, where Once took home 8 of the 11 nominations it had received! 

With this long post getting excessive, it brings us up-to-date of where I am today, enjoying this beautiful day in NYC and Father's Day. 

Tuesday will be my last day for the first year, and I couldn't be more excited. 2 friends will be coming out to visit, hoping to see some shows and just show them around New York. A much needed present after a hardworking school year. 

Until the next post (which should come before the end of my 2nd year...), thanks for checking back! :)

Live Jesus In Our Hearts. Forever! 

Airports provide great thinking spaces...

...so I figured I would update the blog! :).

As I sit in the Tulsa airport, where I have been spending my Spring Break (the city, not airport), I figured I would do a little update.

Before Spring Break began, there were lots of exciting, successful events that happened at school and in community!

To begin, we had a group from Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, MN come and join our community for a week! It was great to have a local group from home spend some time in NYC, and be reminded of the Lasallian mission across the country in the young students. While they joined us, they spent an afternoon at Loughlin, getting to know our students through Ice Breakers, as well as enjoying some traditional New York Pizza!! After enjoying a meal together, we prepared for one of our student's favorite service activities; Random Acts of Kindness (RAK). For RAK, we make sandwiches, carry different fruits, and walk the streets of Manhattan passing out our items to those who may need, while also along the way helping out, providing the people with random acts of kindness. It is a pretty sight to see the students break down their barriers, and really enjoy the experience and get into it; definitely makes for a proud Campus Minister!

The Loughlin students and myself who participated in the
Rhode Island Homeless Sleepout Awareness Night

During the visit from T-G, I  brought a group of BLMHS students to Rhode Island to be participants in their Homeless Sleepout Awareness Night. The 4 students from Loughlin and myself travelled Friday after school to RI, and made our way to the church where the event and activities would be taking place. The students heard from speakers who used to be homeless themselves, and how they were able to beat the system, and how we are to be advocates and raise awareness to help the constant issue. Also, they were able to see a movie, celebrate Mass, and pack hygiene care packages for a local shelter. Then it was on to the big event: sleeping outside with nothing but their sleeping bags and whatever belongings they had with them. From a teacher standpoint, it was a long evening, and the students would definitely agree. Our students were continuously tossing and turning on the brick paved area where they were sleeping, but truly were able to learn a lot from the experience, and can't wait to bring it back to our school, and begin planning!

The following week, we had 2 exciting things planned for the week: all-school Lenten Prayer Service with Reconciliation for those students who wished to receive, and the conclusion of our Lenten Penny Drive/War! Planning the Prayer Service was fairly easy compared to other such ones throughout the year, but it was reconciliation that got a little nerve-wracking. Having multiple priests from multiple parishes come to our school in a busy neighborhood of Brooklyn can get a little scary aka "Will we have enough priests here to begin the reconciliation, and still fit it all into 2 class periods?!" Needless to say, we were able to pull it off, and the students really showed a respect and reverence to the sacrament!

Some of the Loughlin Class of 2012 helping out with the Penny Drive!!

The Lenten Penny Drive/War has been my biggest stress the past 6 weeks, but I can report it was very successful. The rules seem pretty easy: all pennies equal positive points, and silver and green equal negative points whatever their denomination value (i.e. $0.25 = -25 points). It was awesome to see the great school spirit put forth by all of our students to help raise money, as well as a little bit of healthy competition between the different houses in the House System! In the end, all of the money would be donated to our sister school St. Mary's in Nyeri, Kenya! I am so excited to say that we raised $3,945.76!! For my first year truly running a project like this, I am very pleased and gracious for the student's and staff's donations!!

The last big event for the Loughlin community before heading into Spring Break was one last Lenten Prayer Service! Melissa and I came up with the idea for Stations of the Cross, across the street at the church, and it was awesome! Each of our grade levels were able to complete it during one full class period, and they truly learned about what the stations are, and experienced another way to pray! :). This Lenten season really provided me with a sense of pride in our Loughlinites, and where we can go with it next year in Campus Ministry!

My last big event before being able to truly begin Spring Break was our annual Holy Week Retreat with Lasallian Youth and Campus Ministry, upstate in beautiful Goshen, NY!! Not having to plan the retreat was definitely a blessing, because unfortunately the minute we arrived my sinuses began acting up, and I acquired a beautiful cough, constant nose drainage , and sore throat. :(. The students were awesome however, and yet again, learned a lot from our guest retreat leader Tony Bellizzi! (If anyone ever gets the opportunity to experience one of his retreats, I encourage you to jump at the chance, because it is TOTALLY worth it!)

Now brings us to the big, exciting SPRING BREAK! 

I have had it planned for several months to head out and visit my best friend, Sean, in Tulsa, OK where he is currently serving for the year. I was very excited to get away, and head back to the Midwest! When I arrived I was able to relax for a little bit, and then we headed out to see the city! Now, I went into the tour of the city with an open mind knowing it was smaller than New York City, but I was not expecting to have it done in just a little over a half hour. Lol. But really, I could definitely see myself spending some time back in Tulsa if provided the chance. It is an amazing city; small, beautiful, and real!!

Saturday night I got to experience the local scene of downtown Tulsa, and let me tell you, it was AWESOME! The bars were very local and chill; definitely my kind of style! I made it a mission to go to "The Max" (yes, named and modeled after Saved by the Bell). Really, how could you not enjoy a bar that had a bunch of 80's arcade games (ex: Skee Ball, Pin Ball, Pac-Man/Ms. Pac-Man, etc.) Then, it was off to the local LV hangout location (McNellies), and I understand why! McNellies is probably the coolest pub I have ever been to, with so many different beers to try on tap or in bottle, plus being able to play shuffle board was also pretty awesome. Nonetheless, it was a great way to celebrate my first real night of Spring Break!

For Easter, it was much more chill, but needed. Sharing in the Tulsa community Sunday television tradition, we began the day with a 4 hour NCIS marathon, and went from there! The afternoon was spent frolfing (frisbee golf) at a local park, and it was beautiful out! It is not a sport that I am particularly good at, but it is an opportunity to be outside and have fun with friends! The night was spent watching the new Muppets movie with the community (Br. Richard and Br. Chris), and enjoying a delicious Easter meal of Kraft Mac & Cheese and grilled BBQ chicken. It was not the traditional family celebration Easter that I am used to, but it was nice to spend it with my best friend and the brothers!

Monday of Spring Break was way chillax and way needed. The morning began early, having b-fast with one of Sean's friend Jamie. She brought us Chick-Fil-A early morning as she was headed off to work (no Easter Monday off for public schools...). Being only my 2nd time having Chick-Fil-A, it was amazing and definitely lives up to all the hype. Ha. It was then back to bed, and getting up around noon to attempt a "start" to the day :). Afternoon was eventful with a quick tour of San Miguel school to get some quick business done, and then back to community to be lazy. A tradition that has been created with the LV's out there is found back at McNellies on Monday nights, and its called PINT NIGHT!! The basic premise involves buying the beer of the week and receiving a free pint glass. Simple. I feel for sure a part of the tradition/an honorary member of the Tulsa LVs!! Monday ended with a beautiful run to the airport to pick up Br. Anthony (Tony) with whom I did my LTIP experience way back in freshman year at Lewis. It was awesome to see him and catch up with him on life since spending 16, very close weeks together traveling and teaching! It truly is amazing how friendships remain, even after years of not seeing each other!!

Tuesday provided a new experience for me that I was very excited about! I got my first opportunity to be a substitute teacher at the San Miguel School, working with the 7th and 8th grade science courses. Now, if you are asking yourself if I enjoy science, the answer is NO, however, I had confidence I could help them out for sho; and I was right! :). It was a lot of fun getting to the know the students Sean works with, and I can see why the San Miguel schools carry so much Lasallian character! It was quite the exciting day, and I learned another awesome perk to being a Lasallian Volunteer: you can do just about anything at any of the other LV sites, including subbing. ;). I must admit though, I was exhausted at the end of the day, and I only had to watch really 3.5 classes. :/. Getting home was relaxing, and took to my usual afternoon past time - napping!!

As I sit in the airport finishing this up, I have to just wonder if at times strange entertainment just has this way of following me. Currently, I have TSA running around chasing a bird that got inside the Tulsa airport with a large net trying to catch it. I mean, literally chasing this bird in large circles around the gate that I am sitting at. Secondly, an old(er) woman showed up a few minutes ago pushing a stroller, and I found it curious that it looked like there was nothing inside. However, when she rode past, I took a quick look inside, and saw a dog being pushed around, and to top it off, it had clothes on. Really, the clothes don't even top it, but rather the baby talk she is speaking to this dog, and expressing her feelings about life to it. I mean, really?! How I am the one that experiences all of this?! I am finding a camera crew to come along on my life and make sure that all this is documented, because really, there is no other way of showing people this happens to me than through video/pictures. Once I'm rich and famous, look out, it will happen!! :).

Well, the call for boarding has begun, but this has truly been an entertaining update for me, and hopefully for you too!!

Live Jesus In Our Hearts. Forever!

Not sure if I even remember how to do this...

I've been away for far too long, and I apologize. :/. Life has been crazy busy (which is good), but I've neglected to keep my audience informed!! However, good news...IM BACK!! :). 

The last time we left off, I had just returned from an awesome retreat of being together with all of the LV's and checking up on the service year. Since then I've attended 3 more weekend retreats, done 11 school retreats, had a visit from my dad and step-mom, spent a loooooong weekend back in Romeoville, attended 3 Broadway shows, ran an awesome 5K, crawled the streets of NYC for St. Patrick's Day looking for pubs, and tried to catch a bit of sleep in there when I am not at work!! Needless to say, I have been having too much fun, and can't believe how much time has flown by. 

Living in New York, and my feelings towards it, have not really changed drastically over the past few months; still loving it, continuing to learn my way around, and overall taking in as much as possible before the year is up! The students at school have been absolutely amazing! Their continued excitement about all things Campus Ministry/Lasallian Youth is the reason I do what I do. Sidenote, I AM OFFICIALLY COMING BACK FOR A SECOND YEAR AT BISHOP LOUGHLIN!! I am so excited to have renewed my contract with the volunteer program, as well as the school, and look forward to the many opportunities that will be presented for next year! Being one who plans way too far into the future, I already have some great ideas up my sleeve! ;). But really, the students are awesome, the faculty staff are awesome, and I am loving all the growth and knowledge they provide me with. I can definitely feel and see a change in the person that I am!! 

As I mentioned above, I have attended 3 weekends retreats over the past 2 months; District of Eastern North America (DENA) Young Lasallians Retreat, Discernment Retreat, and a second Kairos retreat with the students. Each retreat was a special experience, never overlapping on a similar theme, but I would have to say my favorite of the 3 was the Discernment Retreat. There was just a great feeling about taking time out of my busy schedule to truly reflect and think about not just my future as a volunteer, but also my future as an individual and my relationship with God. During one of the breakout sessions, we were able to discuss with different moderators where we were at as individuals, but also where we are at in discerning our life goals. As many of you may know, I am one that lives for the future, always excited to see the next step and what it has to offer versus living in the moment, without anticipation, and seeing where life takes me. When speaking with a specific moderator, she provided me with an awesome prayer, written by J Baps (John Baptist de La Salle as I like to call him with the students) himself. 

Stir up your trust in the infinite goodness of God.

Give honor to your Creator by leaving the care of your person in the hands of God.

Don’t be troubled about the present or disquieted about the future,

 but be concerned only about the moment you must now live.

Do not let anticipation of tomorrow be a burden on the day that is passing.

What you lack in the evening, the new morning will bring you,

 if you know how to hope in God.

 -St. John Baptist de La Salle

This prayer provided a lot of comfort and knowledge to continue my work, and who I am, without truly having to worry about what God has planned for me. 

The weather is very beautiful in New York, and can't believe I didn't even really have a winter. :(. Next year however, Mother Nature will be sure to treat me...i just know it. 

I promise with the next post, it will not be 823929 weeks before it happens. 

Continued thanks for prayers and support. :).

Live Jesus In Our Hearts. Forever! 

**I figure I could post a few pictures that have been from events that I talked about here in the blog...

My boss' daughter Evey Sue! :). I just thought (and know) the picture is adorable!!

Broadway Show #1 that I saw so far this year (2012)...

Broadway Show #2 that I saw so far this year (2012)...

Broadway Show #3 that I have seen so far this year (2012)...

A view from my rock where I meditated and reflected for over an hour
on one of my 3 weekend retreats!! :)

Yay for airport pick-ups on my looooooong weekend visit to Lewis University!! 

Sophia(er) and I after completing the St. Patrick's Day 5K in Providence, RI (Good ol' LU alums too!!)  

Loughlin students who attended our Habitat for Humanity: A Brush With Kindness during their February Break!

Loughlin students who attended Kairos 7 at beginning of March.

Some fancy dressed actors we met along the crawl through NYC

Who knew life could get so busy?!

 For this blog, I decided to do a picture update for some of the events that have happened for me over the past month. One of my resolutions/commitments for the rest of the service year was to keep my family and friends more in tune with what I am doing; blogging is at the top of that list!! For this year of 2012, please look forward to seeing more about what is going, etc. 2012 is off to a great start, can you tell?! ;)

Bedford Park bannister before Christmas

I helped play an elf for "Christmas at Loughlin" Week,
 as well as participated in the student's annual Christmas Show

Merry Christmas from (most of) the DENA volunteers!! :D

Cousin Bennett and I on Christmas Eve 

MATCHING FOOTIE PAJAMAS!! Merry Christmas 2011!! :)

What better way to ring in the new year, than doodle at 5 in the morning at your New Year's party...

Theme: Superheros, Result: Power Puff Girls!! :D

Mulch Fest 2012 with some Loughlin Students 

Bedford Park Dirty Santa/White Elephant Gift Exchange!! :D 

Brant Lake, NY for Lasallian Volunteers Midyear Retreat!!

 Live Jesus In Our Hearts. Forever!

5 Week Update. :/

Alright...I know its been forever and a day since I have updated this blog, but after reading all that has been happening, you will understand where I have had no time to update. With the days getting longer and longer (because of sunlight, or lack there of...), I have been getting more and more tired when the work day is complete. It was told to me when I arrived that you are not a true New Yorker, until you are able to fall asleep on the subway, and wake-up either before or just as the train is pulling into your stop. Thankfully, it has taken me many train rides and countless times sleeping through my stops to finally be able to call myself a true New Yorker, and wake myself up the stop before I have to get off the train!! In my book, that is a huge accomplishment!! :D.

Now, onto all the exciting things that have held me back from updating (please bear with the short novel you are about to enjoy):

When we last left off, I had just completed running a half-marathon! It is still hard for me to believe some days that I actually still completed it, and sometimes wonder if I just dreamt it, but then see my medal and race number, and realize I didn't. With the fun had that weekend, I wasn't sure how it could get any better, but the following weekend proved it would! I made a surprise return trip to good ol' Romeoville, IL to visit some friends and share in some wonderful experiences shared by others. ;). I was so excited to be able to pull off such a huge surprise, and I am pretty sure I can vouch for my friends, that it was just as exciting. I never imagined how much I would miss people until I moved away, and was able to return! Though the weekend was extremely short, I loved and soaked in every minute of it!

It was then back to New York to begin another week at work, but one that proved to be nothing less than exciting. I received a text on Monday morning from my boss alerting me she would be staying home with her daughter who was sick. I immediately became nervous and anxious for work that day because I would be in the office, by myself, hoping nothing would go wrong. One day turned to two, and then three. I can honestly say, I learned that I am an extreme people person from this experience; I began to turn on music in the office, look at pictures of friends on facebook, just to remember what it was like to be around people! It's sad to admit, but honestly, there's no surprise in knowing I need to be around people and their high energy! :)

Though it was different being in the office by myself, I was also able to learn a lot about my responsibility and ability to create tasks for myself when someone is not present. I also got the experience of running one of our freshman retreats all by myself (with the teacher and 2 guidance counselors in the room...). Needless to say, that retreat will forever live in my mind, as a good (and bad) experience!

The week was short, having Friday off for Veteran's Day, yet I went into work late morning for our Lasallian Youth day retreat! This retreat was planned by our Exec. Board Senior students on Lasallian Youth, for the rest of the LY students. This year's theme focused around the idea of cyber-bullying. As all participants learned, cyber-bulling is an up-and-coming force that is destroying the lives of so many young middle and high school students. I believe the students did a fantastic job planning and executing the retreat, and for once, it was nice to be a participant vs. leader.

As the days were growing closer and closer to Thanksgiving, Bishop Loughlin's Canned Food Drive was getting closer and closer to ending. As you well know by now, the house system at Loughlin is central to all activities/competitions we partake in throughout the school day. I believe the canned food drive is one of the two largest competitions (aside from the Penny Drive). This year, we set a goal, hoping to beat last year's total of 4,000-ish non-perishable food items. Now, if you are asking yourself why it's called a CANNED food drive, yet other food was donated, that's a good question. After last year's drive, the food pantry we donated to got an infestation of pantry moths, and had to close down. All of the food found in boxes/bags had to be thrown away, and thus causing the pantry to no longer accept ANY food donations. The thought of not providing meals to needy families during the holidays was heart-breaking, and the pantry began to accept donations again from us, under one condition; ONLY CANNED ITEMS WOULD BE ACCEPTED! This put a lot of pressure onto the school for breaking last year's record, but the students rose to the challenge.

The total number of cans brought in this year was 3,126. Though knowing this is less than last year's, we took into consideration the fact that almost 25% of last year's donated items were Ramon and packages of boxed noodle meals. For my first year running a canned food drive, and such, I was very please with the students full participation! :)

As a part of the food display above, we had a giant revealing to the school at our Thanksgiving Assembly. Now, the week before Melissa (my boss) was out sick :(, and the week of the assembly she was at an educational conference (no worries, she truly is the best, and hasn't left me in the office since ;) ), I had to run the assembly by myself. With a large student body like we have, it can sometimes be a nightmare getting everyone calmed down and attentive. This day, that was the least of my concerns. I had received an email the night before telling me that our speaker was not going to be able to show up, and I immediately panicked. Though, had I read the rest of the email I would've learned 2 others were coming to speak on her behalf. These 2 young men showed up at school the next day at 10:27, when the assembly was set to start at 10:30. Again, as you can imagine, I was a mess, pacing the hallways, waiting (and praying)  for them to arrive! The assembly went off well, and another lesson was learned that day; ALWAYS call your speaker a week in advance to remind them about assemblies! 

That weekend was a very special weekend for the Loughlin community. As I mentioned, Melissa was at an educational conference, and I got the opportunity to go down to Washington, D.C. where it was being held, and be a part of a surprise for one of our fellow Loughlin faculty. Mr. Mike Foley, one of the Guidance Counselors and Moderator for Lasallian Youth, was receiving an award as the Distinguished Lasallian Educator of the Year (as a representative of the District of Eastern North America). I drove a group of 4 students down that morning as part of the surprise, and man was it a great time seeing his reaction to the whole thing! :). Though it was a short first time in D.C., I hope to make it back soon, since I also have family that lives down there, and would be able to provide tours! 

At this point in the short novel (if you have been keeping track), we are at the week of Thanksgiving. The week began with Loughlin Spirit Week, allowing for themed dressed days! The theme this year was "Dressing" to Impress. The word dressing is in " " because our themes revolved around salad dressings! On Monday we had Thousand Island Day, dressing like we were ready to go out to the warm climates, and take a tropical vacation! Tuesday brought us Ranch Day, and I was able to bust out my favorite plaid shirt I used to wear out to Saddle Up! all the time! :). We had a Sadie Hawkins Dance after school, and brought in a dance instructor who taught the students all they needed to know in square/line dancing, and then some! Wednesday was Spirit Day, and I finally received my first piece of Loughlin apparel!! I can say that I have worn my shirt proudly ever since! 

Just some of the seniors from the Class of 2012 on Spirit Day;
we display our Loughlin "L" quite proudly!! :D

This year, Thanksgiving was much different being away from family, yet it was so enjoyable because I was able to do something that I have always dreamt about; Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!! Br. Bill's family has an annual tradition of attending, and I figured there was no better group to go with, then them, and so I followed. We were located at 58th and Columbus Circle (the corner where the groups/floats/balloons make their first turn, before heading down Broadway). It was so surreal to see the balloons up close and personal, versus sitting in the comfort of my home on the couch! 

Happy Thanksgiving

My favorite balloon of the whole parade!

SANTA!!

Being in NYC for the holdiays, the next holiday event to look like a tourist was the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree!! I met up with Stephanie right after work, and we headed downtown to try and get as close to the tree as possible! Arriving at 4:15, and knowing that we would have to wait until 7 for the night to start, we thought we had pretty good spots standing about a block away! Once the program started, a very nice NYPD allowed us to get even closer, thus putting us about 500 feet away from the tree! It was an awesome experience, plus all of the performers, and seeing that tree never gets old to me, it is so beautiful!

Cee-Lo Green

Neil Diamond (this one's for you mom!)

The Biebs

Michael Buble

Radio City Music Hall Rockettes!! 

THE TREE!! :D :D :D 

 That weekend, I participated in one of the most exciting weekends I've had since moving out to New York; Kairos 6 with the Loughlin community of students. Kairos is a spiritual retreat that helps students further find their relationship with God, themselves, and classmates (sounds like another retreat that I have participated on...). The weekend was filled with laughter, tears, moments of happiness, and moments of sadness, but all focusing around the same theme of "Discovering who you were, who you are, and who you want to be!" Though a giant lack of sleep, I can honestly say the students went into the retreat with an open-mind, and came out with so much more!

This past week, I had Thursday off because of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and man was it needed. I was able to sleep-in until almost noon, and then was able to get the day "started" by going down to the Upper East Side, and walking down 5th Avenue, looking at all of the beautiful Christmas windows on display outside the big name stores (Tiffany & Co., Armani Exchange, Chanel, Burberry, etc.). Stephanie and I walked all the way down, until we made it to 34th Street, and we went inside the ever so famous Macy's department store, and experienced our own "Miracle on 34th Street". While inside, we browsed for a bit, then went on an excursion to find Santa. After reaching Santaland, we waited patiently with all the children to get our picture taken, and then headed back downstairs to drop off our letters to Santa in his special "Macy's Believe" mailbox!! Reliving the younger years was definitely an added excitement to the beginning of this holiday season!

This past weekend brought lots more holiday activities, including picking out our Christmas tree, and hanging up other decorations! I look forward to being home in just a mere 10 days, and spending time with my family and friends!

The stockings all hung at Bedford Park Community with care...

I thank you for being patient with such a long absence from posting, but with the holiday break ahead, I hope to be able to look back, and reflect on the exciting moments that 2011 has brought me, and what more is left to come! 

Live Jesus In Our Hearts. FOREVER!