Io amo Italia!
About 36 hours ago I returned from a fabulous trip to Italy with the Tufts Chamber Singers and Chorale, or should I say Tutf Chorale and Chamber Singer? I had such an amazing time it's really hard to put it all into words. But I really have to because I have such a hard time remembering things, and this was one trip that I really want to remember. Over the next few days I'll be posting about my trip to Italia, but as they (and we) said, "What happens in Italy, stays in Italy." While the words that I will write will bring back memories, nothing can replace what happened while I was there. I just can't wait until I can go back!

So we all know how much I love Jars of Clay... I was looking at their upcomming tourdates, and there are few concerts in the NJ/NY area! So who wants to go??? You know you all do!!! Here are the ones I would go to (just because of location)...

6/10/05 - BB King Blues Club (NYC, NY)

to be updated...

In the spirit of FOCUS I will do my Highs and Lows for the day.

Lows
2 exams back to back
being achey from various things
having the stupid camcorder tape over my dialouge

Highs
Having 2 exams done with and out of the way!
My ASL exam being easier than I thought it was going to be
Getting a wonderful and hilarious letter from Tim!
Listening to fun praise music
Planning a pre-spring break PSF dinner
Getting back to my room realizing that God helped me get through the day

Even though I was obviously able to see all the things 'wrong' and 'crappy' about my day, I think it's so important to be able to go back and see what was good about the day. Good things aren't always huge, sometimes we just have to look for them. In searching for them, we realize how lucky we actually are. No one's life is perfect, but that doesn't mean that we can't celebrate each day like it is.

"Imagine if you will, that we have nine different pictures of the same building. Each of the pictures is of a different side of the building. Now if someone asked you to show them a picture of the building, you could show them any of the nine pictures. While all of the pictures would answer the question, none of the nine pictures would be the same. This is how I think of religion."
~The Hindu chaplin from MIT & Harvard
(paraphrased from today's religious forum, "The Many Faces of God")

It's late...
And I'm getting really tired. Of everything. Especially of drama and conflict. It would be nice if everything just solved it self while I sleep tonight. Who's getting the double in the apt. Relationship-ish stuff. Church. Sometime I really want to take the easy way out and go spend my days volunteering in Philly or something of the sort. But that would be too easy. What I'm doing right now by complaining is too easy. Here I am, going on about what I think is wrong instead of trying to find solutions. Here I am finding everything wrong and being frusterated instead of being joyful at all of the good that there still is. It's amazing how writing some things out enable you to see how silly you are being.

Right now I am thankful for the wonderful and inspiring music I am listening to. I am thankful that I am not outside in the cold. I am thankful that my belly is full. I am thankful for the circumstances that allow me to be where I am. I am thankful for all of the love and support that God is giving me.

But I pray for courage to do what is right, and the wisdom to know that those things actually are. I pray for all of those who are lost, and for all who are searching. May we find the way. I pray for all of those who need healing, myself included. And as a go to sleep I pray...

Lord, it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day,
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all who are dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
Amen.

Living in the 370's next year baby! Hillsides that is... I'm pretty happy about the apartment that we got. Sure it's on the third floor, but depending on what stairwell you use, you only have to go up 2 flights of stairs. AND the laundry room is also two floors below us which is very nice. I'm also excited about our hall buddies! Which is none other than Kyle, Jeff, and the rest of their motley crew. It's going to rock next year! Now to figure out who is living in the double...

"Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is
inevitable."
~ William Pollard, CEO of ServiceMaster

...on a side note, I would like to take this chance to remember my beloved T pass, which was scratched on March 5, 2005 at the Davis Sq. T stop at approximately 4pm. It was a great T pass that lasted me over 6 months, giving over 20 free rides on the T. It will be missed greatly. RIP.

"Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will."
~Jawaharal Nehru

"Govern thy life and thoughts as if the whole world were to see the one, and read the other."
~Thomas Fuller