Umm...is that a deer in her passenger seat?

So, it is pretty apparent that my new blogging strategy as mentioned in my previous blog from September is not working out. I am now going to switch to a "divine inspiration" strategy. Basically, I will continue to share in a loose and rather disconnected way, but only when I feel inspired. And I am feeling inspired. After a nice weekend of tranquility and a lot less people (Denton, TX) I got right back into the crazy life of Boston. The following will document my 6 mile run this evening...and none of it will make sense:

After 45 minutes I finally made it back to Boston University. Then I ate a piece of Laffy Taffy. Still trying to figure that one out...I decided to start the first 20 minutes praying a running rosary. The only difference is that my prayer changed a little bit, "Hail Mary, full of grace, don't let me hurt my knee..."

There was definitely a lady who had a deer in her passenger seat. Not sure if it was real or fake, or just a hybrid of a dog that severely resembles Bambi (probably the latter) but I am going to choose that it was a deer.

My ears were about to bleed from the cursing and inhumane ways people were treating each other. Mind you, this was rush hour in Boston so the honking was incessant and completely unnecessary. What boggled my mind the most though was how arbitrary it was...I mean, there was no logical reason. At all. Come on people!

At one point I thought I was Bruce Willis' character from "What Women Want" except it was more "What the World Wants." Or God. I felt like I was hearing so many thoughts but none of them my own. People were talking on their phones and to each other and my mind was a whirlwind.

"You are a LOSER." This was shouted by a guy on a bike who almost got hit by a car. Props to him for keeping it a lot more clean than it could have been.

At one time I thought "Ooooh....she is from Harvard so she must be smart. And maybe she is rich." Wow. What a comment coming from someone who dislikes assumptions so much. #growinghopefully 

I really wish I would have brought my phone because I wanted to Instagram it up like crazy. 

The Charles was the only thing standing in my way from getting back to BU. I literally thought about swimming but it was too cold.

Scatterblog

I find that I do not update my blog as much I would like too, and as I was pondering why I don't, it dawned on me that I feel it to sometimes be obligatory. Now, I'm sure you're thinking, "Then don't blog. Plus I don't know why I'm even reading this in the first place." But I still see value in sharing some updates on what is happening in this crazy world we live in and in particular, what is going on in my neck of the woods these days. Who knows, there could be some tiny fraction of information or advice that I share that could change the course of someone's life forever (lofty I know, but hey, it's possible). Therefore, I shall continue to blog, but in a new and strategic manner. There are two conditions to this new strategy which I call "Scatterblogging." The first is that I must not procrastinate and wait to share all the wack and beautiful things happening in my life. The second is that I must blog as I think. And I am often scatterbrained...

• Being back in Cambridge has been phenomenal. It is a tough transition to serving at a new campus and with a new team, but has been jam-packed with blessings and bright spots.
• My new roommates are way too cool for school. They are super hip and our apartment looks like a log cabin now, or a window display for Urban Outfitters.
• Having 12 FOCUS missionaries in Boston is way out of control...in a good way. We have been fortunate to have a few gatherings, celebrate some birthdays, catch a Red Sox game at good ole Fenway, and learn and grow from each other in what has been just shy of a month's time. 
• I turned 23 which is both great and super wack. I mean, when did I get here? And why hasn't my life catapulted into some catastrophic and tragic debacle. I like to think it is because God is real and really good.
• Boston University is way. That's it. It is so very. And super. Coming into a community that has had such tight-knit fellowship and distinct structure and bringing the New Evangelization in a slightly different way has been tough at times, but I know the the Lord will bless it with a lot of fruit.
• I hiked a mountain for the first time at Harper's Ferry in West Virginia before I came to campus. It was so nice to spend time in Northern Virginia and reconnect with great friends and past co-workers from college.
• I have decided to be bold.
• Having a smart phone has really allowed me to do things that I enjoy and that I see as a skill (even though some would prefer to differ). Having all my social media outlets in the palm of my hand has been great to share what is happening with students, reach out to a larger audience and keep them informed, and of course read my daily tweets to catch up on all the news. I do actually follow legit news sources.
• Students are...well to illustrate my point I just had a student come and ask me to pray with him and now we are in my office still talking and it's almost 11:30 at night. So students are great and I already have a deep love for them and I feel like I am serving in the way I am wanted now. 
• That's about all for the night folks. 

The Game of Life

It is difficult for me to fully grasp the idea that an entire year has gone by since I first moved to Boston. Here I am in Arlington, Virginia spending one final week with friends and mission partners before making my way up north to Bean-town. After six weeks of training in Illinois, I enjoyed dividing my time between Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia and Shelbina, with some other stops in between. It is truly refreshing to spend time with people who love you and desire to be a part of your life. I am very fortunate to be serving as a missionary with FOCUS for my second year, and am encouraged by the amazing souls I was surrounded by this summer during my time away from campus. Highlights of the summer included swimming with my niece and nephews, celebrating my best friend's wedding, visiting friends from college, and enjoying the quiet tranquility that my rural community has to offer.

The summer ended on a particularly high note with the Games of the XXX Olympiad at the 2012 London Olympics. I have always been intrigued by the games and the competition between the world-class athletes. This year was even more profound than ever as I was able to fully appreciate the beauty of the world being united even if it was for a mere 17 days. The spirit of unity and determination that was portrayed in the Olympic events has fueled the flame inside of me to bring that to the campus of Boston University. After all, everyday is a challenge and we are all called to strive for greatness.

New Year, New Campus

Goodbye, MIT!

As the summer reaches the peak of hot temperatures and dry weather, that means we are getting one day closer to when all the young and knowledge-seeking men and women converge back on college and university campuses all over the world. This also means that I too will be diving back into the world of academia, but once again in a more non-traditional role. This September I will be starting my second year as a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary. I was honored to have the opportunity to spend this past year serving at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There were so many incredible relationships made and unbelievable transformations that occurred in the lives of the students and my team.

Hello, Boston University!

It is bittersweet for me to announce that I will not be at MIT next year, but I am beginning my second year on staff as a missionary at Boston University. Geographically it is but a small hop, skip and a jump away from MIT, but in all other cases it is distanced by leaps and bounds. With a new campus and a new team, I can hardly wait to see what God has in store. With each and every day that passes, I begin to understand and come to know what I really want out of life: to always be mindful of the joy and love that I was created for. I want to live in that knowledge. And being able to share that with college students and to spread the message of love is an opportunity that not many people have. To those who have been along for the ride thus far, thank you - I am overjoyed to have your support. And to those who are just joining...welcome to the adventure!

Fight the Good Fight