Author: hcwebdev

When I tell people about my proposed concentration, usually blank stares greet me back. Inevitably, someone will ask, “What are you going to do with that?” Well, Fr. Howard made an excellent point today as to why Classical and Medieval Literature is still important to know in the modern world. We’re just arriving at the Malebolge in the Inferno, which is where the fraudulent, both simple and treacherous, are punished. Fr. Howard pulled out a copy of the New York Times from September 29th and read an article that discussed the fraud and greed that have wreaked havoc on Wall Street. He then said, “Doesn’t this sound like Capernus?” It most certainly did. The very events that riled Dante are still occurring in our modern world. Literature is just a different expression of the same human experience, and that’s why I love it so much.

In other news, I submitted my College Honors Program application today. Now that that’s out of the way, I really don’t have any major projects (other than a couple of scholarships) for the next week. My class schedule is extremely different from a majority of the students on campus. Typically, the week before Columbus Day weekend is laden with tests and papers. However, that was last week for me, and now I just have to read. I guess that I’ll be taking over a lot of shifts for my Kimball Captain friends who need some extra studying time.

Speaking of Kimball, “Guess The Juice” didn’t go so well. Sean forgot who picked what mixture, so we really had no way of proclaiming a winner. I think that the next game is going to be ABBA karaoke. When “Dancing Queen” started playing on the radio, nearly all of my workers (including me) began to dance and sing along. Just another proof that old cultures have an odd way of permeating the subsequent cultures!

Today, I had a marvelous food escapade. As first-year students, we weren’t allowed to use our dining dollars at Crossroads until 6:00 p.m. during the week. Because of that rule, I didn’t really explore all of the options that Crossroads has. Tonight, I needed to get something quick to eat, but I didn’t want my staple from Crossroads (a chicken parmesan sub, if you were wondering. Yes, I do know that it’s probably terrible for me, but it is oh so delicious!). There’s another part of Crossroads with which I had never experimented before tonight. Oh, my eyes were opened to the divine jewel that the Deli and Salad station is! You can design your own sandwich or salad, and you have your choice of artisan breads, amazing fillings, and luxury salads. For instance, I had a baby spinach salad with mandarin oranges, chicken, walnuts, almonds, and poppy seed dressing. Words cannot express the dances my taste buds were performing. I am going to have to mention this jewel on my tours now! Good-bye, dining dollars…

Speaking of Epicurean food adventures, I have a funny story about work at Kimball. Every morning, the captains assign jobs to their workers. Well, simply assigning or asking for personal preferences becomes extremely boring very quickly. So, I decided to have a contest for job selection. The challenge? Kimball Pick-Up Lines. Every worker had to create a pick-up line related to a Kimball job. The example I gave them was, “I have to use my hot gloves to ‘catch’ you.” (‘Catching’ means taking the dishes out of the dishwasher, so we have to use thermal gloves because of the hot temperatures.) Well, that game didn’t go over so well. One of my workers (and a freshman year blogger!), Melissa, looked at me, and asked, “You do realize that it’s 7:00 in the morning…right?” Oh well. I thought it was fun. Tomorrow, I’m planning to do “Guess the Juice.” Ah, the power that a Kimball captain wields is fantastic! Muwahaha!

Memo to self: Do not drink coffee. It makes my blog entries simply ridiculous. 

I feel like I woke up on September 17th and went to bed on September 28th. I literally have not stopped moving since my last post, which explains my lack of entries for the past week and a half. I had a Medieval Literature paper due last Friday and a midterm in Jesus and His Contemporaries this morning. In addition to all of my classwork, I’ve been extremely busy between Kimball, and Liturgical ministry. I’m still working on my College Honors application in addition to a couple of scholarships here and there.  It’s not that the workload is unbearable here, but you definitely have to make decisions about what takes precedence. Unfortunately, I don’t think Professor Juilfs would’ve accepted my blog as an excuse for a late paper!

Classes are continuing to go well and still as much fun, even if I have a lot of work. Like I’ve said before, it’s really not even work for me; I just enjoy everything that I’m reading. In Dante, we’re finally delving into the Inferno. Fr. Howard has figured out that if we continue to read twenty pages a day without taking any breaks (“Because Dante didn’t take any breaks writing it!” Fr. Howard once said in class.), we’ll be able to finish the entire Divine Comedy. In Medieval Literature, we’ve finished our Anglo-Saxon era, and we’re now into the Romance era. We just finished The Lais of Marie de France, and we’re now reading , and we’re now reading Yvain.

Last week was Jesuit Heritage week on campus. To celebrate, there was an Amazing Race around campus to find various points of Jesuit importance. This always falls on a day that I have to do something else! Otherwise, I would’ve been all over it. Hopefully I’ll be able to do it in one of my remaining years (okay…that was scary. We’re not going to talk about that anymore!). All the Jesuits were even more prominent than they usually are on campus, and it was just a great week for the entire community to come together and celebrate our unique Jesuit heritage.

I know that I have written about them in a while, but I swear that I still have friends! Everyone in my group is also extremely busy (so it’s not just me), but they’re all doing well. Carrie and I had a repeat of our review sessions right before we handed in our literature papers last week. Last year, we always had a tradition of reading each others’ papers, so I’m glad that we’re continuing that this year! Rooming with Ashley is still going really well. She’s an amazing RA, and the floor loves her (which is always good!).

This past weekend, my parents and sister flew into Boston to celebrate my grandfather’s 80th birthday. Practically all of my dad’s family was there, so it was great to see them all. Because we live in Georgia, it’s difficult to see them all, so I’m not kidding when I say that I haven’t seen some of my aunts and uncles in nearly three years. It was a really fun night for all of us, and it was also nice to be off campus for just a weekend. I definitely love Holy Cross, but I needed to get away from all of my work for a little bit!

In good news, my camera decided to stop being fickle, so now I finally have some pictures for your viewing pleasure! Beware – tt’s an odd assortment.

Until next time, which will definitely be more often, I swear!

Whenever I begin any of my readings, I feel like I have entered a time warp. To give you an idea, my most modern source is Beowulf. My carrel in the library probably looks similar as some Medieval monks’ – St. Augustine’s Confessions, The Aeneid, the Bible, and “Beowulf.” Despite the time lapse, I’m loving every minute of all of my classes, and each class dovetails with the other. For instance, we’re learning about how St. Augustine’s Confessions completely changed philosophy and marked the end of Classical philosophy. Having read The Aeneid is a benefit because it allows me to see the distinction between Classical and Christian ideals.

In addition to classes, everything has instantaneously become hectic.  Kimball continues to go well; all of the freshmen workers now have a grasp of what jobs they like and don’t like. It’s really going much smoother now. Lastly, all of my applications are going well. This semester is extremely busy, as I’m applying for the College Honors Program, Study Abroad, and the Washington DC semester, in addition to several outside internships and scholarships. Ah! Normally, I’m not this busy, and it’ll all be over by mid-October.

Well, I’m off to attend the 43rd Hanify-Howland Memorial Speech, which is going to be presented by John Ashcroft!

I just found out that one of my good friend’s dad passed away a couple of days ago. None of us even knew that her father was sick; his passing was expected, but still sudden. I can’t even imagine losing any family member, let alone a parent, right at the beginning of the school year. On top of that, she’s entering her senior year, which is already laden with enough stress as it is.

I’m writing about this not to be depressing or to match the dismal weather in Worcester at the moment. In fact, the entire experience has been somewhat uplifting. After we all found out about her dad, groups of us began to plan trips to her house and the funeral home. I’ve never met some of these students before, but we’re all banding together to support a good friend encumbered by a terrible event. Most importantly, this entire experience has brought me closer to my other friends. None of us even knew that her father was sick, and my friends and I have spent the last couple of nights just talking about experiences in our lives that we hadn’t previously discussed with one another. 

Friendships in college are an entirely different type of relationship than any other forged at any other point in life, I believe. While I’m still very good friends with a majority of my high school friends, the bonds that I share with them aren’t the same as those that I share with my college friends. High school was a time of maturing, so my friends and I did indeed mature with one another. In college, however, friends become so much more. They’re a surrogate family, almost. You live with them; eat with them; play sports or participate in extra-curriculars with them; you take classes with them; you learn both with and from them; you support them; you’re always with them; you experience a taste of real life with them. It’s an event like this that makes me realize just how lucky I am to have such incredible friends, even as cliché as that may sound.

I can’t believe it, but the first week of classes has already come to an end. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I have Jesus and His Contemporaries (lovingly called Jesus and Friends by Ashley and Katie), Readings in Medieval Literature, and Medieval Philosophy. Jesus and His Contemporaries is an anthropological and sociological study of the Palestine society and Jewish tradition in which Jesus lived. Basically, the class will examine Jesus’ Jewishness. I am so excited for this class. I’ve been attending Catholic school since kindergarten, but my theology classes never really addressed this aspect of Jesus’ life. In Medieval Literature, we’re beginning with Beowulf, but the course will take us through seven different Medieval cultures. How exciting is that?! We’re reading The Saga of The Volsungs, The Romance of the Rose, Yvain, The Inferno, The Canterbury Tales, and other Medieval lays and poems. I am so very excited for this course. This is one area of literature that simply fascinates me, and I think that I’m going to make my own concentration in Classical and Medieval Literature. But now I’m digressing. Medieval Philosophy will cover the following four major philosophers of that era: Augustine, Aquinas, Eckert, and Nicholas of Cusa. I thought it’d be a good idea to take Medieval Philosophy to gain an insight into the major mindsets of the time. On Tuesdays, I have Dante’s Classical Sources. I have always loved The Divine Comedy, and this course will highlight some of Dante’s many influences. Primarily, we’ll be studying The Aeneid (thank you Fr. Vodoklys for having us translate this last semester), The Metamorphoses, and some biblical literature, and analyzing the impact of the Classical world upon Dante. So, all in all, I am quite excited for my four classes this semester. And, guess what the best news is? I only have two exams! Two of my classes require a final paper, and not an exam. Anyways…

In addition to classes beginning, life in general has just started up back here at Holy Cross. My first Kimball captain shift was on Thursday, and all the head liturgical ministers had a retreat from Friday to Saturday. The retreat went really well, and was a fantastic opportunity for us to reflect upon our respective ministries for the upcoming school year. Friday night, we were all playing a game of Charades that somehow turned into a Battle of The Sexes. Some of the words we had to act out were Constantinople, Intergalactic Lord Zorn, Hammurabi’s Code, and Bamberg’s Fifth Concerto. Needless to say, both teams were a tad ridiculous. I just returned from my first weekend Kimball shift (and, I must say, it was the busiest I have ever seen Kimball. I don’t think it’s been that busy even on a chicken parm. night), and I’m lecturing for the first time this school year at the ten o’clock Mass tonight. This upcoming week is going to be extremely packed with meetings as everything else begins to start back up again.

On a completely random note, yesterday was Homecoming, so I was able to see some of my friends who graduated last year. Loyola stopped by the room to say hello and catch up with Ashley, Katie, and me.

All right, I’m off to the library to get a head start on some of my work for this week. Until next time!

Is it really already Tuesday? I’ve really been back on campus for a week now? Classes are already beginning tomorrow? That’s kind of scary. Anyway, Kimball week was a success. I learned how to correctly operate the pulper, so there won’t be any explosions or anything.

Most importantly, welcome Class of 2012! Saturday was an absolute blur. Both Ashley and I were up at 6:45 a.m. that day. I worked at Kimball in the morning, and made sure that the lunch shift was ready for the surge of freshmen and their families. Ashley had last minute room inspections and began to prepare for the freshmen moving in. Then, at 9:00 a.m., the campus exploded with overstuffed cars and excited freshmen. Of course, seeing everyone move in really made me remember where I was a year ago.

While Ashley was helping her residents settle into Wheeler throughout the afternoon, I was at the Hart center preparing for the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Usually, the mass is held outside, but rain was in the forecast this year. And, even though it didn’t rain at all, the mass was still beautiful inside, and occurred without a single problem. There was a twist to the “good-bye” moment this year. Instead of the students leaving the parents like last year, the parents had to leave the students.

Since then, the campus has simply exploded with people. There are Orientation posters and signs everywhere, and the bookstore is always packed now. I’m honestly quite glad to be living on a Freshman floor again. I’ve never known anything else, and it really is fun to somewhat “re-live” freshman year again. Of course, this time, I’m seeing the other side. Ashley has been a great RA so far, and she’s been so enthusiastic about this entire process.

In addition to the new students, the campus also has many new faculty members on campus. I was one of the four tour guides on the Dean’s Tour this year (Elizabeth Heston, a fellow blogger, was another one), and teaching doctorate holders was definitely a new experience! It’s just kind of funny to me how I came to Holy Cross a year ago not knowing where Stein Hall was, and now I’m giving tours. See, there is hope, new students!

Classes officially start tomorrow. I have Jesus and His Contemporaries, Medieval Literature, and Medieval Philosophy all tomorrow. I am extremely excited for all of my classes this semester, and I cannot wait for them to begin. I’m sure that I’m going to wish that I had never said that about halfway through the semester. But, anyway, I’ve got to finish some reading for tomorrow. Yes, I’ve already been assigned work, and classes haven’t even begun!

Well, I am back on the hill! I flew back from London on Sunday, and I was able to spend some time with my family at my uncle’s house. I moved in on Monday, and began Kimball training on Tuesday. I’m pretty much all moved into my room; I still have some organization to do and all that jazz. Ashley is an RA in Wheeler this year, so our room is extremely large. That’s great, but it’s also bad because it’s just an invitation for me to be messy!

Kimball week has been going well. We’ve only had a couple of hours of meetings a day. I’ve missed the smell of the pulper…well, that’s a lie. I have missed the people with whom I work, and it’s been great to see them again. We’re all getting ready for the incoming freshmen. Our first meeting with them is on Sunday, and they’ll begin working soon after that.

Everything is really beginning to get started in the following days. My duties as a Liturgical Coordinator begin on Saturday at the Mass of the Holy Spirit. It’ll be great to be on the other side of the Mass this year. My first tour is on Monday, and it’s for some of the new faculty members. Ballroom practices start back up on Thursday, and we have our first competition in less than a month. It’s kind of scary how quickly things are starting back up.

I’m excited about this semester and everything that’s going to come with it. I’m excited about my housing situation, my amazing classes, my activities, and being back at Holy Cross in general. But, I’m also kind of hesitant about this semester as well. This semester is when I have to apply for Study Abroad, the Washington DC semester, and several internships. It’s going to be a hectic and chaotic year, but I know that it’s all going to be worth it in the end.

I’m so sorry that I haven’t been able to update as much as I wanted to during this trip. Between trying to see everything, the class, and just living in England in general, I have barely had any time to update this blog. Unfortunately, my time here at Oxford is coming to quick end. My last paper was due on Wednesday, and my last seminar was Thursday. I honestly cannot believe how quickly my time has flown. It feels like just yesterday my duffle was trudging behind me as I tried to figure out how to get to High Street to Catte Street to Holywell to Mansfield Road. It feels like I just learned how to call up books from the Bodleian stacks, or how to wrestle with the on-line databases as I searched and searched for some elusive articles. I just can’t believe that my time here is nearly over. I am quite sad to leave Oxford, honestly. This trip has really piqued my interest, and I think that I’ll be working harder than ever this semester so that I can hopefully come back here for junior year.

The actual class that I took was extremely engaging. Because of US Intelligence Communities, I knew about how the US was tackling terrorism, but this class really broadened my horizons because it was from the British perspective. I’m glad that I experienced this entire tutorial system because now I feel that I’m a stronger writer. The entire British system was quite different at first, but I’m kind of going to miss tutorials. I guess that’s why we have office hours at Holy Cross!

Speaking of Holy Cross, I’m returning this Monday to start Kimball week. It’s going to be a hectic move in day for me, but it’ll be good to get back to The Hill. I have missed my Holy Cross friends and Holy Cross itself, so I’m actually kind of glad that school is starting once again. The classes that I’m taking this semester are extremely interesting. This semester is also when I’ll apply for Study Abroad. All in all, I am quite excited for this semester and everything that it holds.

Well, I’ve got to get back to packing because my flight leaves extremely early in the morning. Until next time, when I’ll be posting from Massachusetts!

Well, another fantastic week at Oxford has come and passed. This past week our seminar covered the history of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and we went into particular detail about the insurgency in both countries. My readings for this week bore a striking resemblance to my Modern Middle East class back in first semester, so that was definitely nice! I just returned from this week’s tutorial. The essay topic was the following: ‘What is the origin of the Iraqi insurgency?’ I took it from a historical approach, and studied the Shi’a/Sunni divide since the Ottoman Empire. It went really well, and I really enjoyed writing the paper (yes, I am aware how nerdy that last statement sounds).

This past week, I also went into London to see my cousin, Camille, who is studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts for the summer. It was kind of weird that we were in England at the same time; we usually see each other only at Christmastime. As we were walking around Westminster, the heavens just opened up and began to pour. Running through London in the rain isn’t exactly fun, but it sure makes a great story.

I can’t believe that I have a little more than a week left here. There’s still so much more to see! Today, between my seminar and tutorial, I went to Magdalen College, and walked around the grounds there. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous. It’s centered around a water marsh in which some deer live, and the Cherwell river runs right through the campus. Tonight, a couple of us are planning to take advantage of this beautiful weather and go punting on the river. Hopefully we won’t tip, but that might be a very real possibility!

Tomorrow, we’re headed over to Salisbury, Stonehendge, and the Vale of the White Horse. I’m so excited to see the Old Sarum section of Britain, simply because I find ancient history so fascinating. I’ll definitely have some pictures to post from that! On Sunday, I’m planning to walk down to Iffley, where there’s one of the oldest and best preserved medieval churches in all of Europe. If it rains or I don’t feel up to walking six miles both ways, Cathleen and I are planning to go see C.S. Lewis’ grave and parish church. I really can’t believe that I have to plan out my final week in Oxford. As cliché as it sounds, it feels like I just arrived. I’m excited to return to Holy Cross, but I’m also quite sad to leave this amazing city!