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Yesterday was, by far, one of the most interesting classes that I have ever attended. In Early Christian Literature, we’ve reached the point in The Confessions when St. Augustine asks for his baptism. In that scene, he says that he was “seasoned” and “signed” by God. Well, those are both allusions to the ancient baptismal rite, in which both salt and oil were used. As we reached that point in the class translation, Fr. Vodoklys told us all to open our hands. He went around the room and poured some salt onto our hands, and then went into a discourse about how valuable salt was in the ancient world because it preserved food. While our hands were still open, he then went around the room and poured some olive oil into our hands. I don’t think I will ever need to moisturize my right hand again!

Everything is still going well, albeit a little busy. I have my presentation for my Tolkien seminar tomorrow, so I’ll be working on that for the rest of the day today. Prof. Manoussakis, my Philosophy professor last semester, is also helping me edit and revise a paper to turn it into a conference. While this week is busy as anything, I’m really looking forward to the weekend (yes, I do realize that it’s only Tuesday…). My mom is flying in on Friday, and, along with my grandmother, we’re going to see the Dancing with the Stars tour on Saturday.

Well, I’ve got to lead my first tour of the semester now. Until next time!

I have officially started the second semester of my sophomore year. While my classes don’t coalesce perfectly like last semester (admit it, you enjoyed reading about my medieval adventures), they are amazing nonetheless. My first class, mathematics and art, is actually quite fascinating. I know, I know. you probably never expected to see me write that I’m taking a math class. But, I needed a math credit, and this class is awesome. We’re analyzing the mathematical structures of various art movements, and how different mathematical applications make each movement different from the other. Farwell, cosine and tangent equations! Hello, Polykleitous and Raphael! I’m also taking Fr. Vodoklys’ Early Christian literature, which is translating St. Augustine’s The Confessions. Yes, dear reader, that book is back! Just when you thought you were free…muwaha. Anyway, I feel like I’ve analyzed the work enough in English, and I thought that I should tackle it in the original Latin. Plus, St. Augustine has a beautiful command of Latin (as he should – he was the Roman emperor’s grammarian and rhetorician!), and much of his language’s beauty is lost in translation. I’m also taking Professor Mulrooney’s Tolkien seminar. Now, before you all think that I’m really crazy, I promise you that I have never dressed up as any character from Lord of the Rings. Okay, so maybe I have. But that’s not the point. The point is that we’re studying Tolkien in an academic light, which is amazing. It’s intensive reading (we’re reading everything that Tolkien wrote), and I’m one of the youngest in the class. Is it going to be a challenge? Most certainly yes. Am I beyond excited? Most certainly yes. My last class is my Honors seminar, the Ideological Destruction of Art. We’ll be studying the destruction of art in ancient times, whether it was for political or religious reasons, and the class will culminate in an independent research project in which we explore a modern example of the destruction of art. I think I might be leaning toward the French Revolution. But, that paper isn’t due for a while, so I’ll think about it later! So, while I’m going to be reading a whole lot this semester, I am so excited for all of my classes. Also, at the conclusion of this semester, I will be finished with all of my core requirements!

My first regular shift at Kimball was this morning. Most of my workers from last semester returned to work the same shift. I like to think that it’s a reflection of how I’m a captain. Of course, I do realize that it is based upon their schedules. This first day of work was so much better compared to the first day last semester. Unlike the beginning of last semester, all of the workers know how to complete every task. Scarily enough, we’re now beginning the captain selection process for next year. A couple of captains (myself included) already have lists of workers that we think would make great captains. And all of the Kimball magic begins there.

In other (random) news, it is freezing here. No, literally. It is freezing here. It is a whopping 5 degrees, and it’s supposed to drop down to -2 during the night. Last January was most certainly not this cold. This is Eskimo weather! I guess that it’s better than being distracted by nice weather, but still. I don’t think my studies would take a beating if the temperature rose into the double digits, at least!

Happy 2009!

I hope that you all had a Merry Christmas. Christmas was low-key this year; it was just my immediate family. My sister had to fly back to Colgate on the 27th to train with the swim team, so we were unable to spend Christmas with our relatives. For once in my life, something is my sister’s fault! It was actually really nice to spend it with just my dad, mom, sister, and pets. Christmas Mass was probably the highlight of my entire break, as weird as that may sound. I just love waking up on Christmas morning, dressing up, and going to Mass. It really helps me just remember what anchors the entire day. Of course, I do enjoy coming home, rapidly changing into my pajamas, and ripping open presents! The largest gift this year was a Wii and a Wii Fit. Oh my goodness, my family and I haven’t stopped playing it. I currently hold the record for the Hoola Hoops (310, if you wanted to know), and I’m also a champion penguin on one of the balance games. I’ve perfected my ace on Wii Tennis, and I can give David Ortiz a run for his money in Wii Baseball. See, the danger of Wii is that your success on the video game can make you think that you’re actually a good athlete. I’m more than willing to admit that I lack all athletic talent, so I’m living vicariously through Wii.

My family and I also saw the Terracotta Warriors exhibit in Atlanta. I was fortunate enough to see the warriors in their original home, Xian, when I traveled to China a couple of summers ago. My family was subjected to hear me talk incessantly about them, so when we heard that they were coming to Atlanta, my family decided to go. Okay, maybe I dragged them to go, but they all enjoyed it.

I can’t believe how quickly break flew. It was great to go home and relax for three weeks, but it was a little short! I’m not exactly complaining about coming back to campus, though. I’m really excited for my classes this semester. My classes don’t perfectly dovetail like last semester, but all four interest me nonetheless. This is also the first semester during which I’ll be participating in the College Honors program, and I’m so excited for Colloquium to start. Colloquium is basically an extension of FYP Symposia. Ironically enough, a majority of the College Honors members from my year are former FYPers.

Kimball has already started again. My first regular shift will be Thursday breakfast. Nearly all of my workers from last semester will be coming back to that shift. Getting up that early in the morning isn’t always easy, but my workers make it worthwhile.  All in all, it’s going to be another busy semester, but I know it’s going to be fun and worthwhile.

What a whirlwind week this has been! I finished all of my exams and final papers on Wednesday. I turned in my medieval literature paper on Friday; I took my Dante exam on Monday; turned in my Jesus and Friends final on Tuesday (long story about that one), and turned in my medieval philosophy paper on Wednesday. It was a lot of work to accomplish in such a short span of time, but it all was finished, thanks to copious amounts of tea. My Jesus and His Contemporaries final was supposed to be a typical timed final; however, the huge ice storm that walloped Worcester forced Professor Murphy out of his house. So, he wasn’t exactly able to get to campus. So, we had a take-home final instead, and we just e-mailed it to him. Ah, you have got to love the Worcester weather!

I spent most of Thursday working in Kimball; I tried to see if I could last the entire day in Kimball, but the other captains forced me to go back to my room. I did have to pack, anyway! Luckily, I was able to get out of Boston on Friday. My dad was in Boston, so he picked me up. Our flight was originally at 3:40, but Delta canceled it the night before. We were rescheduled to the 4:40 flight. Well, the huge snowstorm was supposed to hit Boston around 4:00. My dad and I tried to get on earlier flights to Atlanta, but we had no luck. So, we hoped and prayed that the 4:40 flight would make it. I’m not sure how, but we did. The snow was billowing; it was coming down sideways at one point. We finally took off at 6:15, and I landed in the beautiful 65 degree and sunny climate of Georgia at 9:00. However, it’s not supposed to be this nice for much longer. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the teens, and it’s going to continue to drop further in the week. It’s like I never left Holy Cross!

While I was waiting in the airport for a good eight hours, I had a chance to reflect about this past semester. I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve been pushed to such a limit before in my life. On the other hand, I wouldn’t change anything about this semester. Freshman year was a crash course in learning how to live by myself, adjust to college classes, and begin to realize what I’m meant to do in this world. A perquisite of sophomore year is having a grasp on all of that. You just dive in to everything about sophomore year. If freshman year was a springboard year, then sophomore year has been a formation year. Sure, there were fights with friends, long nights in the libraries, talks with chaplains and Jesuits, dusty books to be read, and days that were pulled from Canto XXIV of Inferno, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. This entire semester has shown me that college isn’t just about learning; it’s about forming the self. I can’t imagine forming myself, both intellectually and spiritually, at any other institution than Holy Cross, as “tour-guide” as that sounds. It’s really quite true. I’ve talked to my friends from home about our various experiences, and, while they’re all loving their own college experiences, I just know that I wouldn’t be having the same experience anywhere else. This semester has really sealed that. Between the fantastic professors that I had this semester, the wealth of knowledge that I learned in my amazing classes, and everything else that happened this semester, I’ve just realized even more that Holy Cross truly is the place for me. 

After working all day Tuesday and Wednesday on my medieval literature paper, I decided that I deserved a break. Carrie, Amy (a friend from my medieval literature class), and I decided to bake a pecan pie. Yes, it was quite random, but it was one of the best study breaks. Our procrastination yielded a delicious treat! Pecan pie isn’t exactly brain food, but it most certainly is delicious.

This morning was my last breakfast shift with my workers. They presented me with a collage of random pictures that they had taken throughout the semester. Waking up at 6:30 two days in a row was not ideal, but my workers definitely made it fun.

And, now, here is some inspiration from one of my high school friends, Tom, for upcoming finals.

A Prayer for Final Exams

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not flunk;
He keepeth me from lying down when I should be studying.
He leadeth me beside the water cooler for a study break.
He restoreth my faith in study guides.
He leads me to better study habits
For my grade's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of borderline grades,
I will not have a nervous breakdown For Thou art with me.
My prayers and my friends, they comfort me.
Thou givest me answers in moments of blankness;
Thou anointest my head with understanding.
My test paper runneth over with questions I recognize.
Surely passing grades and flying colors shall follow me.
All the days of my examination,
And I shall not have to dwell in this college forever,
AMEN

The weather this week has been unpredictable! On Monday, the temperature was in the single digits and the wind chill made it feel below zero. Yesterday, the temperature was around forty. Last night, however, the wind was insane. During the night, a huge tree outside of Wheeler actually snapped. And, today is around fifty-five degrees, but it’s pouring. It is supposed to hail tomorrow, and it’s supposed to snow on Friday. Talk about getting in all the extremes.

Anyway, if you’ve read my blog for the past year, you’ll understand that my life is a series of awkward events strung together. This proved more true yesterday than any other day this semester. After enjoying my quick lunch from Crossroads, I walked outside to throw away my trash. Unfortunately, I was gripping my ID card in addition to my trash, and I accidentally threw away my ID card. You can’t get anywhere on campus without your ID card. I debated my options for a minute. Should I dig through the trash to find my ID? Or should I spend $20 to have Public Safety issue me another one? Like any good college student, I decided to save some money. Yes, I actually dug through the trash for my ID card. Here’s the best part. I didn’t see anyone around me, so I thought that my trash-delving would go unnoticed. Unfortunately, a girl from my Dante class and all of her friends walked by as I was elbow deep in the trash can. The good news is that I eventually found it. The bad news is that it’s sitting in a sanitizing solution for the next three months or so. Now that I think about it, that trash can is very close to the webcam on Hogan’s roof. So, if anyone happened to be watching the webcam yesterday at 1:30 or so, you probably saw my trash escapade.

In other (less embarrassing) news, last night was the Christmas Tree lighting. It is officially Christmas on campus now! Fr. Dunn presided, and the pep band and Chamber Choir performed. Oh, yes, there were also cookies and hot cider. Last night was also the final Fools on the Hill show, so Ashley, Katie, and I saw Jess perform one last time.

Classes ended yesterday. Study period starts today and lasts until Friday. My final medieval literature paper is due on Monday, and my Dante final exam is on Monday as well. My Jesus and His Contemporaries final exam is on Tuesday, and my medieval Philosophy final paper is due on Wednesday. I can’t believe that I’ll be finished with everything in a week. This semester is vanishing before my eyes!

On Thursday, I told my friends at dinner that it simply didn’t feel like December. At this time last year, the temperature was below freezing every morning. I remember bundling up to go to work at Kimball at seven o’clock. While it was still cold, it wasn’t as cold as I had remembered. Well, dreams do come true! It has been absolutely freezing since Friday.  This morning, the temperature was in the single digits. Right now, the temperature has climbed to a whopping 11 degrees. It might sound like I’m complaining, but, in reality, I adore the cold weather. Fall is my favorite season, and winter is a close second. I guess that I chose the right college location, then!

If you can believe it, tomorrow is my last day of classes. Study period begins on Wednesday, and final exams begin on Saturday. I cannot believe how quickly this semester has flown. The conclusion of this semester is bittersweet. While I’m looking forward to Christmas break and next semester, this semester was so engaging. I loved all of my classes, and I will miss them. I’ll miss Professor Manoussakis’ thought provoking application of Medieval thought in modern life; I’ll miss Fr. Howard’s tangents on Dante. I’ll miss Professor Juilfs’ vast knowledge of the medieval world; I’ll miss Professor Murphy’s analysis of the Bible and other ancient literature. Well, let me rephrase that lament. I’ll miss the information presented and the fantastic professors, but I won’t miss the workload. Speaking of next semester, my I finalized my schedule. I will be taking the Ideological Destruction of Art (my Honors seminar), Mathematics in Art, Early Christian Literature (I cannot get enough of St. Augustine!), and a J.R.R. Tolkien seminar (Oh, yes, bring on the nerd!).

And I am now going to abuse the power of this blog to wish my dad a happy belated birthday and my sister an on-time happy birthday!

For those of you who are familiar with track and field events, this semester has been like a 1500 meters race. My assignments have been spaced out from each other, so it’s been a strenuous, but I’ve been able to maintain my stride. However, the entire speed of the race changes completely tomorrow. An e-mail from Professor Murphy sums up the entire feeling of the next three weeks. It’s a “sprint to the semester's finish!” It’s a bittersweet feeling, too. I want the next three weeks’ workload to pass by quickly, but I don’t want this semester to end. I’ve loved all of my classes this semester, and all of my work has been strangely enjoyable. I’ve also shared some great times with my friends this semester, and Christmas break seems too long at some points. But, I can’t get caught up with Christmas break. I need to finish my research papers, presentations, and exams!

That’s why Thanksgiving break was most welcome! I went home to Alpharetta for the break. My parents have done a lot of work to the house, so I didn’t recognize my room at first. Even though it was a short visit, it was great to be home and spend time with my family.

Speaking of the next three weeks, liturgical ministry has some awesome events planned for Advent. The suspended Advent wreath is going to be hung in St. Joseph’s sometime soon. The Advent Reconciliation Service is on Tuesday night. The chaplains also provided the student leaders of Liturgical ministry with an Advent meditation calendar. So, while these next few weeks might be stressful, there are still opportunities to relax…oh, yes, and goof off with my friends! We’re all looking forward to “Wii Need a Break.”

I am going to accept the blame for Holy Cross’ loss on Saturday. I went up to Colgate to watch the Patriot League Championship Football game. I didn’t watch the first half; instead, I was hanging out with my sister, Caitie, who is a junior at Colgate. The Crusaders were winning in the first half. We turned on the game after half-time, and that was when the Crusaders began to lose. I now have more proof that I am just a jinx for my favorite sports teams. Don’t worry, Crusaders; I’ll probably be abroad next year, so you won’t have to worry about me jinxing your PLC opportunities. Even though the Crusaders lost, I had  a lot of fun hanging out with Caitie in Hamilton, NY. By hanging out, I mean ordering Tollhouse Cookie Pie from the Colgate Inn.

In twenty-four hours, my research paper for Jesus and His Contemporaries is due. I’m writing on how the human perception of God changed from ancient Judaism to Hellenistic Judaism. This paper has consumed my life for the past week or so, so I’ll be so happy when I turn it in. Of course, after I turn it in, I will have only two more classes until Thanksgiving break. 

One interesting note: One of my books for this paper was a part of Fr. Brooks’ collection. I can’t possibly receive a bad grade on this with Fr. Brooks behind me, right? Okay, so an A will take a little more work than utilizing a previous college president’s book.

If I study abroad next year, today was my last enrollment day until senior year. That thought terrified me. Whenever I tell my friends at other schools that I’ll probably be spending all of next year abroad, they typically tell me that I’m crazy for spending an entire year away. Yes, it seems like a lot of time right now, and I’m not too thrilled with leaving Holy Cross for an entire year. However, when would I ever have such an opportunity again?

Anyway, class enrollment was a success. The new STAR system made it seem all too easy. I refreshed the page a couple of times to ensure that I had actually enrolled! I enrolled in the four classes that I wanted, which is always a plus! Next semester, I’ll be taking readings in 20th century British Literature, Ideological Destruction of Art, which is my Honors seminar, Early Christian Literature, and Mathematics and Art. I know, there aren’t too many medieval classes in that mix. I’m really excited for all of my classes, though. Luckily, by next semester, I will have fulfilled all of my common area requirements and basic requirements for my major. However, I’m not even going to think about classes for junior and senior years. I’m still in denial that I eventually must leave Holy Cross.

This past weekend was an absolute blur. It started with spending an hour in Professor Murphy’s office on Friday. The two of us talked about everything in the Bible except my research topic, which had been the main reason why I wanted to talk to him.  I spent most of Sunday just running around and trying to catch up on some sleep. I slept in until 10:45, and I was the lector at the 11:30 Mass. That was cutting it a little too close! Fr. Hayes said the Mass, and his homily could not have been more perfect. He spoke about how difficult it is to determine one’s vocation, but our God-given talents will eventually help us discern whatever it is we’re meant to do in life. Between internship applications, classes, and thinking about graduate schools, it just seems like reality is coming a little too quickly. I really needed to have that hour just to relax and reflect. So, thank you, Fr. Hayes.

Well, I’m now going off to Kimball to enjoy breakfast. Today has already started out well with enrollment; hopefully classes and all my activities today will run just as smoothly!