Thanksgiving time rolls around every year and people begin to think of things that matter most to them, what they are thankful for. Commonly people go back to their family and friends as the one thing they are thankful for and the priceless moments they have spent with them. Unfortunately we cannot see everyone on Thanksgiving in order to tell these people in our lives that we are thankful for them. So instead of giving these important people a shout out before digging into turkey, I think this Thanksgiving should be different. We should really think about what we're thankful for and tell that person, they may not realize how important they really are in your life until you tell them. Think of this blogpost as the beginning of a Thanksgiving dinner table, I will say what I'm thankful for first and then you follow by stating what you're thankful for by telling these people that come to mind.
As cliche as it is, I'm thankful for my family. I'm so glad I can call my Dad for a quick laugh or a word of advice cause he somehow knows the answer to every problem. Running through Michael's lines for his play on the phone could not make me any more happier on a Sunday afternoon. I love that Joe and I still inbox each other at least twice a week catching up and laughing more than we ever have. I'm thankful that Teddy understands how to use Skype, even though he cant talk back him raising his ears, sniffing the screen and wagging his tail is all I need to see in order to know that he misses me as much as I miss him. And everyday I realize more and more that I could not live without my mom. Even if its a call home to tell her a stupid story, she listens with eager ears to be in tune even thousands of miles away. They are not just family, they are my best friends and the ones I turn to at the end of the day with knowledge they will be their conditionless. Happy Thanksgiving guys, you are irreplaceable.
I am thankful for tradition, and not just any tradition. Pie Night, the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving my entire maternal extended family gathers together to make pies for the dessert for the next day. Sharing family recipe secrets, catching up with family and meeting all the new people that have become a part of our tradition by invitation makes this tradition a one of a kind. No one will ever understand why Pie Night truly brings a smile to the Greene family. Martina Greene, my grandmother, the creator of pie night has supplied us with something to hold onto even if she wasn't there to bring everyone together. It's been a fast eight years and its still unbelievable that shes not there to direct instructions in the kitchen, but then we realize shes still there. We can feel her in the warmth of the smiles, laughter, and focus of pie making. Never will we let this tradition go, the only thing that can happen to it is to grow as we grow. Happy Thanksgiving, fam!
I'm thankful for my high school education. As I look back on my last few months of high school I remember wishing to leave and move on with my life in a new city with new people. Now that I am there I have noticed how much Spellman was a part of my life, how much it changed me and taught me to be a better person. There is no other place where you can combine dancing and going to church or have fun traditions with learning. As goofy as it sounds, I enjoyed high school. There were definitely bumps in the road but I enjoyed it for what it was - awkward ages and the bliss of ignorance. And in the broad view of things, Spellman is my second family still and always. They were there for the ups when I was there to succeed and the downs in the worries of family sickness. Completely supportive in every way I will never once say high school was something I want to forget about. I grew up and became an adult there. Sharing a Thanksgiving football game with a family is going to be a gift, to spend time with the family I love- Happy Thanksgiving Spellman.
I am thankful for my Loyola community. This place has made me feel home in every aspect one could for 1,000 miles away from your true family. Shout outs begin to my Learning Community members we spend everyday with each other. Some of my most memorable moments are the conversations in all of your doorways, talking about the finer things of life like Spongebob or common interests in baking for example. We are not just a community, we are family. You can tell this right when you get off the elevator when members are just sitting in the lounge enjoying each others company or writing papers till the crack of dawn in the hallway with each other. Each moment I spend with you guys is an adventure whether we go somewhere or not its regardless since you guys always take me somewhere and that is up, never feeling down. Second shout out goes to the rest of the people I have met here. You are all interesting and have a spot in my heart, some of you I may not remember your name but then again you've probably nicknamed me Boston girl (its fine I make nicknames too!) We may have had laughs, exchange of good conversation or went on an adventure but all moments are dear and the reason I have come to love Chicago much more than I thought I would. Thanks for making me feel at home even if Chicago isn't your home either.
The list goes on and on of what I am thankful for this year, maybe it's being away from what you're used to for 3 months that makes you realize the most important things of life. To keep it simple and sweet, I am thankful for the people that have made a difference in my life enough to make me want to change and always try to be a better person than yesterday. Happy Thanksgiving to anyone who read this, now go out and tell people that you're thankful for them!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
The Moment When You Were Born
Is it weird that I remember peoples Facebook statuses if they really speak to me? Yes? Whatever. So my RA, Sebastian, had posted this quote the other day on his status and it read something along the lines of, "There are two important times in your life, the moment you born and the moment you realize why you were born." Over the past week I have been making alot of time for this spare time writing blog and can't seem to put it down.
It's almost like the world has too many stories and characters to let it all trickle away into faded memory rather than writing it down. Everyone has a story to tell and this is mine, still in the process but its a form of figuring out my next chapter. It really makes me wonder if I should drop the whole become an environmental layer and save the planet from the human consumption rates and just write.
This could be my moment, when I realize that my hands were meant to type what I see good in the world, not petitions about what I see bad in the world. Though I wouldn't be paid as much, I would feel rich in the comfort that I can be my absolute self. I guess this is what growing up is, weighing options of what you want and what you can sacrifice for your future.
It's almost like the world has too many stories and characters to let it all trickle away into faded memory rather than writing it down. Everyone has a story to tell and this is mine, still in the process but its a form of figuring out my next chapter. It really makes me wonder if I should drop the whole become an environmental layer and save the planet from the human consumption rates and just write.
This could be my moment, when I realize that my hands were meant to type what I see good in the world, not petitions about what I see bad in the world. Though I wouldn't be paid as much, I would feel rich in the comfort that I can be my absolute self. I guess this is what growing up is, weighing options of what you want and what you can sacrifice for your future.
The Mysterious Woman in the Red Pea Coat
Imagine having the worst day you could ever have. Your coffee spills on your hand, you realize Spanish 103 was not something you should've tested into and your communication class has yet again to be something you find ridiculously hard to keep up with. Its your typical Thursday at Loyola and I'm sitting in line waiting for the shuttle to take me home and away from the world for 20 minutes with my iPod....never mind it just died.
Continuing my conversation with my friend Jeff as I put away my iPod and we wait together I try to forget about the stress of this day and ask God for just some answer to help me get through this day. I don't know where I'm going, or why I'm going this way...give me a freaking answer. Within a moment a small frail woman in a red pea coat came down the corridor with a stack of small white pieces of paper. She began handing them out to each person in line and sometimes saying hello to familiar faces. This woman was cute in the way that she would smile as if she had given you the world and all its answers within that one grin.
When the woman with the red pea coat had reached my friend and I she handed me a paper, smiled, and continued to walk through the line. The whole line began to draw quiet and like a row of dominos, lifted their heads after reading and awe. Quickly I scanned the paper that read:
"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with , what seizes your imagination will affect everything.
It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."
- attributed to Pedro Arrupe, S.J., from 1965-1983, Superior General of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits)
Who was that woman with the red peacoat? I may never get to meet her. The lesson of the importance a stranger can make in your life continues, she may never know that she brought the answer to my problems that day but she felt the need to share her love for the community. By supplying the bus line with a reflective thought she has made a small difference in the world.
Continuing my conversation with my friend Jeff as I put away my iPod and we wait together I try to forget about the stress of this day and ask God for just some answer to help me get through this day. I don't know where I'm going, or why I'm going this way...give me a freaking answer. Within a moment a small frail woman in a red pea coat came down the corridor with a stack of small white pieces of paper. She began handing them out to each person in line and sometimes saying hello to familiar faces. This woman was cute in the way that she would smile as if she had given you the world and all its answers within that one grin.
When the woman with the red pea coat had reached my friend and I she handed me a paper, smiled, and continued to walk through the line. The whole line began to draw quiet and like a row of dominos, lifted their heads after reading and awe. Quickly I scanned the paper that read:
"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with , what seizes your imagination will affect everything.
It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."
- attributed to Pedro Arrupe, S.J., from 1965-1983, Superior General of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits)
Who was that woman with the red peacoat? I may never get to meet her. The lesson of the importance a stranger can make in your life continues, she may never know that she brought the answer to my problems that day but she felt the need to share her love for the community. By supplying the bus line with a reflective thought she has made a small difference in the world.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A Secret Love Univ 101
As a member of a learning community I spend most of my days with people that I live with on my floor in my classes. Today in addition to our other classes we had University 101 tossed in our schedule today. University 101 is hated by atleast 90 % of our freshman class and I have yet to meet the 10 % that do like this class. Most complain that it is either boring or a waste of time. Rather than complain I cherish every Wednesday 12:35 - 1:20. Whether we talk about study habits and college hardships or how to schedule for next semesters classes I soak in every word my advisor has to say since it is the only time I feel organized on this campus.
So, why do we talk about Univ 101? Today there was an exercise that split up the class to different signs placed around the room. Each sign signified a certain type of person that experienced hardship in American life. Some of the categories are: straight A student with AIDS, living in a car with two children as a recovering drug addict, an obese teenager, a light complexioned factory worker with their highest education at a GED, an immigrant with family members searching for citizenship, a successful open homosexual lawyer, etc. As a class we were directed to pick the one we wouldnt mind being in that situation if we had to have one burden.
It was interesting to see how everyone had a different view of what they can handle. Jess, my suitemate, made a very good point as she observed around the room and said how everyones upbringing had to do with who we are and what we believe to be the least stressful. Jess taught my friend Claire and I a good lesson as we leaned against the wall next to the straight A student with AIDS sign. We realized that she was right and that we should respect everyone around us and how they deal with the situations the world confronts them with. We may find living with AIDS a way to learn about life in a more meaningful way but others may look at it as a hole that you cannot crawl out of and a waste of good grades.
Life is like a box of chocolates and we all go for different assortments. Just like answers being sought out through different situations the box is finished from everyones different apreciations in taste. We could not live without eachother's different views to finish the box.
So, why do we talk about Univ 101? Today there was an exercise that split up the class to different signs placed around the room. Each sign signified a certain type of person that experienced hardship in American life. Some of the categories are: straight A student with AIDS, living in a car with two children as a recovering drug addict, an obese teenager, a light complexioned factory worker with their highest education at a GED, an immigrant with family members searching for citizenship, a successful open homosexual lawyer, etc. As a class we were directed to pick the one we wouldnt mind being in that situation if we had to have one burden.
It was interesting to see how everyone had a different view of what they can handle. Jess, my suitemate, made a very good point as she observed around the room and said how everyones upbringing had to do with who we are and what we believe to be the least stressful. Jess taught my friend Claire and I a good lesson as we leaned against the wall next to the straight A student with AIDS sign. We realized that she was right and that we should respect everyone around us and how they deal with the situations the world confronts them with. We may find living with AIDS a way to learn about life in a more meaningful way but others may look at it as a hole that you cannot crawl out of and a waste of good grades.
Life is like a box of chocolates and we all go for different assortments. Just like answers being sought out through different situations the box is finished from everyones different apreciations in taste. We could not live without eachother's different views to finish the box.
A Reason to be Homesick
Of the few times I get a chance to call my father while I'm at school, yesterday on a rainy Tuesday afternoon was one of those times. I love the chances I get to talk with my Dad, full of wisdom you can't go wrong with asking him for advice or have a laugh with. Many friends on campus know how close I am with my family, and friends at home even more. The past three months not being home have been very hard but a great learning experience in trying to spread my wings without their support constantly there. Well in this afternoon conversation with my Dad I realized why home in general is a wonderful thing to miss; the appreciation of life with family has become stronger than ever.
So why do I miss home so much? In this conversation my Dad had brought up a fight my brothers had the other day. He talked about how my mother had decided to put them on punishment. She set the two hot headed boys down with my dog, Teddy, infront of the game Trouble and told them to finish the game - all three of them. Turns out Teddy won, with my brothers ending upset again and complaining to my mother. As my mother tried to calm them down Teddy broke in between Joe and Mom and barked. This bark wasn't just a bark to be heard it was a bark to let it be known that he is just as able to play and win as the boys. Just because he has four paws and can't roll the dice does not mean he should be subjected to being excluded from brotherly fun.
It's funny the way things that make you feel homesick can be the lightest of stories. I'm so happy to be going home to my family, normal life will be back and I know I will appreciate it so much more once I get there.
So why do I miss home so much? In this conversation my Dad had brought up a fight my brothers had the other day. He talked about how my mother had decided to put them on punishment. She set the two hot headed boys down with my dog, Teddy, infront of the game Trouble and told them to finish the game - all three of them. Turns out Teddy won, with my brothers ending upset again and complaining to my mother. As my mother tried to calm them down Teddy broke in between Joe and Mom and barked. This bark wasn't just a bark to be heard it was a bark to let it be known that he is just as able to play and win as the boys. Just because he has four paws and can't roll the dice does not mean he should be subjected to being excluded from brotherly fun.
It's funny the way things that make you feel homesick can be the lightest of stories. I'm so happy to be going home to my family, normal life will be back and I know I will appreciate it so much more once I get there.
Simpson Dining: The Underground Connections
I like to think of the dining hall as a small community that ties the buildings around Simpson to come together. Each meal you have is a new experience and new person to eat with. Along with numerous combinations of meal options its always a pleasant surprise of what lunch will be like. Today's story begins with my friend Claire, my vegetarian friend. Since Claire spends most of her time at the salad bar for her lunch and dinner she has acquired friendship with the women who work at this section. This woman's name is Veronica according to Claire's input in my research for this draft. Claire's love for healthy eating decisions overcomes her everytime she grabs a plate, something that both I and Veronica admire. A few days ago, as a good friend Veronica decided to ask Claire what she liked in particular. Claire, blown away that the dining hall service would bother to ask her what she liked when they were serving thousands of others stumbled through her favorite options, "cooked broccoli", she stated in disbelief. Within the next few days Veronica had supplied Claire with a full plate of cooked broccoli and has continued to serve her this favorite dish every two days. As I sat down with Claire at todays lunch viewing this green plate I realized how much one persons care can change the world. Regardless of how well the person is known its important to reach out and make an effort to make the world a better place, one plate of cooked broccoli at a time.
When you all you have left is running away, think again
Ever feel like you want to run away, but it wouldn't be fast enough? Just to feel the wind pass your face harsher than it would be while strapped to a jet plane high in the atmosphere. Maybe you would hop on a bike and hope that the thrill of getting away in your heart would transfer to the energy you need to push in your legs. Push...and glide...push...and glide. Or maybe one jump in freezing cold Lake Michigan will revive you from the dull routine of your day. At the same time of thinking about your great escape you look at the table around you with books and people scattered around you, not one could compare to the amount of stress or anxiety you claim as your feet bounce up and down. Is it possible to feel permanently content and at rest?
An hour later you may find yourself walking around to get away from your problems, possibly making that quick fix escape you have planned so carefully in your mind when suddenly you run into a familiar face. It isn't someone you know but the facial expression is familiar; so familiar that you could have sworn you've seen it before today. Slowly you begin to understand that it is yours, your facial expression. All of us have problems and obstacles, some harder than others at different times of our lives but there is one thing we should realize - that many have the same pains and there is a chance to feel that rush of onward to infinity if we find eachother who are also willing to begin running to the answers.
An hour later you may find yourself walking around to get away from your problems, possibly making that quick fix escape you have planned so carefully in your mind when suddenly you run into a familiar face. It isn't someone you know but the facial expression is familiar; so familiar that you could have sworn you've seen it before today. Slowly you begin to understand that it is yours, your facial expression. All of us have problems and obstacles, some harder than others at different times of our lives but there is one thing we should realize - that many have the same pains and there is a chance to feel that rush of onward to infinity if we find eachother who are also willing to begin running to the answers.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Revolutionary Thinking
Hello to my zero followers its so great to have you all supporting my new idea in become a daily blogger. As your average college student I spend most of my time on facebook and twitter posting things in hopes that people think I'm funny (note: the use of hopes should be bolded). Therefore I decided rather than using my energy in wanting people to like my statuses, why not start a blog where my careful thinking can be harnessed into writing that is somewhat tolerated as a progressive cultural artifact. So who am I? Just your typical college student just trying to figure out what the real meaning of life is. No I am not someone who sits in their room and eats their feelings away. I am the HAPPIEST person you will meet. I love life. I just don't understand it. And that is where we start off, with my daily life interactions- funny or not laugh with me...please.
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