Dominos & Dancing

I don't want to say that I've had a hard time the past few weeks, months, or years. I have an amazing life and I am beyond blessed! But over the past two years I have struggled with finding a good set of friends who have my back and are there for me. I would think that I found my group, something would happen, their true colors would show, and I would end up hurt or realize that these people weren't for me.

My friends from high school are like rocks: they aren't going anywhere. That being said, we've drifted from each other as time has passed. Two weeks ago all four of us went to Georgia Tech for a girl's night out, it was like no time had passed at all. We fell back into our fast bantering, witty remarks and endless laughter. It was a wonderful reminder that while we might not be as close anymore--although I pray with every fiber of my being that we all reconnect soon--they will always be there for me.
This past weekend I went with some friends to my roommate's lake house. It was a rainy day, but that didn't stop us. We were on the boat while the sun was out and we were playing dominos while it was raining. Nothing darkened our mood. Everyone was so happy and seemed to not have a care in the world. All of the work and obligations that awaited us when we got back, seemed to vanish and we were able to enjoy each other's company. It was refreshing to say the least. Saturday night we went to a big party (mostly parents) and spent about 3-4 hours dancing. Just dancing. I've danced before and I love it, but this was different. This wasn't perfect and every move wasn't coordinated, but it felt amazing.

Afterwards we laid on the dock and gazed at the stars. It took my breath away and in that moment I realized that God has given me so many gifts, like dominos and dancing. No matter how small or how large these gifts are there. My mother instilled a tradition in me that when you receive a present, you always hand-write a thank you card. I keep up this tradition, because I know how wonderful it is to receive a letter in the mail. God has given me these gifts and I need to thank him. Last I heard, God hasn't given out his exact address in Heaven so, instead, I'm going to pray. Pray for those less fortunate, pray for those who haven't seen the Light, pray for those who have drifted from the Lord. I have no set backs in my life if I choose to have no set backs. So, today starts my positivity/thankful/humbled perspective on life and, so far, things are looking pretty good!

Steam Out The Ears

Do you remember the cartoons you watched as a kid and when someone got angry their head would turn red and steam would shoot out their ears? That red headed, steam out the ears, steady lipped cartoon character has been me in true living form this summer.
My Italian professor drives me to that point. Every day! Last week I asked if she was going to Chick-fil-a's Cow Appreciation Day--a question that most people would call small talk--and she said no because Chick-fil-a doesn't support homosexuals. Now, I'm not going to say that I agree with Chick-fil-a. I believe that discrimination against anyone is wrong and I don't like it. However, having a professor pinpoint you for eating at a restaurant that she dislikes and says that I am wrong for eating there. I'm sorry, what? Yesterday, I miss pronounced a word and the word that I did say wasn't a good one. So instead of just correcting me and moving on, she told me to not say that or else she would have to tell Father Tom (she and her husband go to my church) that I was saying bad things.
Call me crazy, but I don't think that that is right or appropriate and it's extremely judgmental. I've been venting almost every day to my roommate about how much I hate this professor and today I am stopping. Today, I am making the conscious decision to pray for her. I'm going to pray for her until it kills me and then I am going to pray that I have patience and a level head. AND I am going to kill my next 3 exams. Her negativity and rude comments are not going to hold me back any more. I have to keep reminding myself too that, in a way, it is a blessing that I have this professor over the summer. While it's made for a long, dreadful summer, I only have to deal with her for 2 months. If I had her during a regular semester, I would have had to deal with her for 5 months. Now that is something is thank the Lord for. Here's to being the bigger person and praying every moment while I'm in that class for positive thoughts!

Kicks and Giggles

Somehow I always end up writing a blog post before a big exam... What are you going to do? If you're me, turn on the Harry Potter marathon and crank out a post. Plus, today was too good of a day not to write about, so here we gooo!
My day consisted of church, brunch, studying, gym, dinner with friends, ice cream, and now Harry Potter. Not too bad, right? Church this morning was especially good; I have found myself seeing and understanding deeper meanings of bible passages each time I leave the Catholic Center. Today, the priest spoke about how people can see the same situation in different ways. Some can see the positive and some only see the negative--those Debbie Downers drive me nuts! But, his point was a valid one. We can spend out lives wallowing in the negative aspects of our lives, but that will only lead us to disappointment after disappointment. My goal has been and will continue to be to find the good in every day, situation, and moment.
For dinner, I went with some friends to a sushi place. I can't remember laughing so much in one hour. Afterwards, we hung out for a little bit and went to get ice cream. My roommate and I ended up splitting a peanut butter double chocolate half gallon... Yeah, I'm a happy camper. But it's something as simple as ice cream that negates the hours of studying that I've suffered through over the past few days. Simple happiness. It's pure; it's honest; it's life. And life is pretty darn good.

Let Go And Let God

When I was speaking with my mother today she gave me an update about a person that I knew in high school. This guy was a soccer star and hung out with the popular crowd. I didn't know him personally--in fact, I'm not sure I ever spoke to him--but he seemed like a nice person. My mother told me that he recently decided to join the Catholic Priesthood. (crickets) Yeah, my jaw dropped. This kid who had everything going for him in high school decided to join the priesthood? I never would have guess... ever! At first, the new information about this acquaintance was shocking, but as it sunk in I have a new respect and awe for this man.
He told my mom that he had heard God knocking for a while and tried to ignore it, but finally he couldn't keep the door shut anymore. What a calling! I see the beauty in taking the time to hear and understand the Lord, but I am inspired by hearing what the Lord has to say, letting go of the reins on your life, and letting God take over. It's an amazing process and where God is leading him is perhaps the most rewarding profession.
I am a Christian, so I know of this process. Yet, looking at my own life, I can't say that I have let God take full control. I'm a control freak and love to have my days and weeks planned out, but what if my plans aren't the same as God's? Do I listen? Do I change my path and go the direction that the Lord wants me to? I want to say yes, but I know that I can do better and that I am sometimes selfish. I want to hear God every moment of every day, but I must first learn to clear my mind and my life of meaningless clutter. I know the difference between right and wrong and I believe that I am letting God steer my life subconsciously, but I want to consciously let Him take over. It's the greatest gift I can give myself. Perhaps my mom running into that boy from my high school and sharing his story was God's way of saying, "Listen." If so, then it worked. My ears, eyes, and heart are open.