Day 173: Sunday

What a Sunday I've had. I've been trying to take the sabbath more seriously recently. Not doing work, and just relaxing prayerfully. I struggle with filling my time, because I feel the pull of assignments on my mind. But, it's nice. I like to be productive in ways of leisure at least, though. So today, I made french toast for myself, painted my nails, read bunches of recipes, looked up and listened to a bunch of new music, watched Of Mice and Men because I'd been wanting to, then, to wipe that tragedy off my face, I cleansed my palate with an episode of Arrested Development, then I made myself a homemade chai latte and took a bath, getting out of pajamas finally, to clean myself just so I could get right back into them.

walking home from school. had lots of grey days this past week. 

Anyways, it was Spring Break for lots of my friends back home this past week, and I was seeing pictures of loads of em doing loads of great things in warm, sunny places. It made me a little jealous, and the good news is that I don't get a spring break... but honestly, I've been having great times here in Aberdeen, so I can't complain too much. There's no shadow of a Spring to celebrate anyways; starting last night and going until today and forecasted to continue through to tomorrow, it's been snowing. So that's cool. Not.

a picture of an insignificant scene from my beloved Sandbridge, sent to me by Carly Boucher. 

In other news, my bro John got a real job a little while back, and it's weird to think both of my brothers have real jobs now. Zach I mean, he was expected: married and all that, I knew he was grown up for good. But John, him being out of the house in a legitimate way is making life seem a little more real. Like, this is going to be me soon. Granted, I've been away from home for like 6 months now and will be out for about 5 more, and then when I come back, it will be a transitional stay anyways. Hopefully. If I can do anything productive with my life ever.
Let me just cry for a few minutes.

Okay.
I can do this. Life.
Things have started to get on the way for my dissertation. I'm still on the proposal stage, obviously, but it's getting me excited. I want to be done with baloney courses and just be left on my own to research and write and spend too many hours in libraries with too many books, typing away and drinking chai and laughing and crying from stress and/or being overtired.

ALSO, I'M JUST REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE KATIE AND TAYLOR HAVE BOUGHT THEIR TICKETS TO COME VISIT ME! Taylor is coming, and right as she's leaving me, Katie will be arriving. Times will be so grand. ALSO, CAITLYN REUSS WILL BE AT OXFORD FOR THE END OF JUNE AND MOST OF JULY, so I have another American cohort in the land of Brits to visit and party with, woooo!

The always vogue, Taylor P!

My most lovely best friend, Ranger Katie!

A blurry picture of a really cute puppy because I don't have a picture of Caitlyn that is easily accessible right now, and I kinda like to think of Caitlyn as a blurry puppy anyways.

More importantly, y'all should give The Gray Havens a listen. They are really nice. And my heart is currently being serenaded by their rich melodies and well-themed lyrics. And if you haven't listened to the Steel Wheels yet, do that now, too.

Novena to St Joseph to finish in time for his feast day on the 19th starts tomorrow! Anyone who wants to join, I'm using this one: http://stjoe4u2.tripod.com/id5.html, doing the first prayer and the appropriate little prayer for each day, 1-9. :)

Song of the day: Gray Flowers- The Gray Havens.

Day 164: New Music

"You may think that I'm talking foolish, you've heard that I'm wild and free"
First off, that's just a good song, but more importantly, I ain't talkin' foolish. I may be a fool, but I intend to continue to put my haters to bed and tuck 'em in, because my future is coming fast and I'm gonna be doing crazy and big things--soon.
I may not have a definite home set for me, or a career, or income, or anything of the sort, but it really doesn't matter. God has never once not provided me with what I needed, even if at the time it seemed that it wasn't enough, it always has been.
I've been in Aberdeen for 5 1/2 months now, and I have no idea where I'll be in 5 more, or 5 more after that. (Besides the few definite dates at which I need to be present.) This year is basically a condensed version of Mary Washington. I come, I get acquainted, I make great friends, I learn, I grow in my faith and self-knowledge, and then, too soon, I leave. At the end of my time at Mary Washington I was hit with a wave of regret that I hadn't done all I thought I should have done in terms of acting as a witness of Christ to my fellow students.
I was really hit this past week with the fact that I need to grasp every moment I'm given and view them all as opportunities to spread love and light. I may never know or see the consequences of my actions, but it doesn't mean I shouldn't see the gravity and potential of my existence. I might only see someone once, for a few seconds, but why shouldn't I want my smile to instill some sort of hope in their day? We all have the ability to act with Christ to transform the world's heart, and I don't want to leave Aberdeen feeling like I floated through a year, leaving no imprints on the people's souls I met.




Song of the Day: Cuckoo- The Steel Wheels. "The cuckoo, she's a pretty bird, she never drinks water, she only drinks wine"
But also, just for real, The Steel Wheels in general. Listen.