There have definitely been ups and downs, but life here is getting better and better as I get to know people on a more personal level. It's so wonderful developing friendships with people who I basically only knew as acquaintances before.
Classes
Classes are pretty good. I still need to catch up on reading homework, but I'm enjoying most of my classes. I've gotten into the flow of them. Fr. Murray's class is my favorite. Lots of people get tired of having a long day, but I love going to his class! I look forward to it. He reads beautiful poetry to us about romance and adventure with God. He teaches us great things and shared beautiful quotes. He also plays BEAUTIFUL songs for us that make my life. So beautiful. I want that song played at my wedding if I ever get married. It's about the bride going out to meet her bridegroom in the garden.
Dr. Heaney's class is also bomb. It started out as my favorite class, but I got worried when I learned we were going to have tests in it. Thankfully, the first test went great. I got an A :). Good grades aren't as important to me in Rome, because it's the experience here that is life changing. Still, I try to do well. So far so good. I do need to catch up on reading for Dr. Heaney's class this weekend, but I LOVE our class discussions. The class is basically what I expected Catholic Studies classes to be like. We learn the Catholic Church's perspective on the world: on rights and the point of life. It's wonderful: a great teacher and incredibly awesome classmates.
Fr. Giertych's class is pretty good. It's weird just sitting there listening to lecture, and a ton of the stuff is over my head, but I try to listen for things that really stand out to me or touch me. I've learned through experimentation that I can hear him pretty well and focus much better when I sit towards the front of the classroom, not in the back (so the front of the classroom it is. Hooray) :) I have met some nice NAC seminarians in that class too. Most Bernardians sit in the back of that class. (Side note: I'm so excited to learn that Fr. Giertych is coming to dinner with us next week! Papal Theologian in a more personal context. Hooray!)
Dr. Lev's class kind of overwhelms me, but I've received permission to audit it, so that is a great relief to me. Walking around tires me, and art just doesn't grab my fancy too much (sorry. I wish it did, but other things catch my fancy, so it's ok. My heart isn't made of stone). What I like about that class is...well, for one thing Dr. Lev is really funny and sarcastic. The other thing I love is getting in a lot of group experiences with my fellow Bernardians. We travel together for that class, so that is a treat. It's also a joy to see how much joy some of my classmates get out of the art. They just come out of museums beaming, and I can be so glad for them :) Next week is the Sistine Chapel, so that should be COOL! I already watched Dr. Lev's TED talk on it.
Then there's Italian. I have grown to like that class more. I still don't know what's going on half of the time, but I've learned to accept that. I should try to get in some hardcore studying for that class this weekend as we do have a midterm, and I don't want to get an F. (It's a pass or fail class.) The good thing about that class is that my teacher, Valentina, and my classmates are so humorous. Her joy brings me joy. She's also patient. Thankfully, I get by not talking a lot in that class. I enjoy listening to people like "Carlos" do more of the talking. At least I'm not suffering through that class alone. I have fellow classmates who I know commiserate with me.
Florence
We did something very exhausting this past weekend! We traveled to Florence for Dr. Lev's class. It was fun all traveling together, being in things together. That said, walking through the museums was a form of purgatory for me. I just felt tired and impatient, especially when she held us longer than she said she would. The type of art we look at just doesn't touch me. I apologize two all my classmates who adored the art. I don't mean to downgrade your passion. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I just find enjoyment in other things. I ended up pretty moody from the museum tours, but I had some great experiences that made the trip totally worth it!
For one thing, I got to have a deep chat with my roommates, and getting to know people just makes me life. I'm very careful about who I open up to about various things, but I've been opening up to my Bernardi sisters more about things (though still cautious). There are people here who I've learned to trust with things. The words can flow out, and it's wonderful to learn how much you actually have in common with one another.
I also had an amazing Saturday night dinner joking around with my fellow Bernardians including MK, Mr. Baker, J. McFadden, Ryan Franck, and Nikolas Zabinksi. The laughter was just SO. GOOD. Laughter warms the heart and eases tension in the soul. I don't know if that makes sense, but it sounds pretty and I like pretty words...
The train ride back from Florence was also boss, because I got to hear some great Holy Spirit stories from Alex. Like, wow! How beautiful that faith-in-action and miracles are so near and dear to us even today! I didn't know!
Community
I don't think I could choose a better group for me to travel to Bernardi with. We're growing together more and more. I can actually hold a conversation with pretty much anybody at Bernardi now. The times we share are incredible. One of the best moments yet was our Taco Tuesday dinner two nights ago. Ben Baker recorded a video on my camcorder in which EVERYBODY'S PERSONALITIES SHONE. It was beautiful. We need to do more things like that. (Side note: Working on our Talent Show video has been wonderful and comical too!)
Lizzy is such a perfect roommate for me, and I was really happy to come back to rooming with her when we returned from Florence. That said, travel is a WONDERFUL opportunity to get to know my other sisters better. I LOVED rooming with Cassie and Liz M. in Florence and am excited to room with a variety of girls on future trips.
Jesus
I don't know what else to call this section. Spiritual Life? I mean, God is just so good. He's getting me through everything. Offering myself to Him and asking Him to open my heart to His plan for me gets me through every day and night. He is helping me to find comfort through broken hearts and is teaching me to love myself because I am His.
Well, that's all for now. Now for a rainy weekend of studying and possibly adventures or rest. I get to apply for "back-up plan housing" 2016-2017 with some fellow Bernardians tonight.
In the future you will get more stories from me about adventures traveling around Europe. Perhaps I can tell you some fun facts about Rome too. :) Please pray for us, as (in a week and a half) we embark into midterms.
Prayers coming your way too. Ciao!
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