I made a LIST back in the fall like this one. Here is Toddler Top 10 Part II:
10. Everything is a drum, including you
9. Bibs that double as a second bowl are one of the most wonderful inventions ever
8. Accomplishing 5 minutes straight of productive circle time makes you feel like you've just won a marathon
7. A toddler laugh is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world
6. You spend the day playing the game "who stinks?", and if you pick the wrong child, they will let you know who it really is (and they are always right)
5. Nap time is still essential to everyone's sanity
4. You can never set the table fast enough for any of them, at least not in my class!
3. They test your patience and always make sure you're paying attention, but it's made me a better person
2. From brushing their teeth, to singing songs, or taking a walk, everything is exciting
1. One hug from them can turn your entire day around
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Catholic? Why Me?
In light of some recent, and might I say outrageous, statements released by the Vatican, I got to thinking about why I felt called to become a Catholic in the first place. That was my crazy college experience. Some people party every weekend, some drop out, some lose their minds because they don't know how to maturely handle the transition to adulthood, and me, well, I became Catholic.
Aside from finally finding a church I felt I belonged in, I was really influenced by the Jesuit values that Canisius College sprinkles generously throughout their courses, extracurricular activities, organizations, faculty & staff, and eventually the student body themselves. From the teaching styles of professors, to the inclusion of community service as a requirement for many courses and the overall feeling of acceptance no matter who you are, the institution's ability to spread the ideals of social justice and Jesus' love for all are alive and well. It is such a positive representation of what being rooted in Christian values looks, sounds, and feels like.
This eventually led me to discover Campus Ministry and its array of service opportunities. After a couple of week-long service trips to NYC and Erie, PA, I came across the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, and my life was forever changed. Talk about a strong community of women, rooted in the Catholic faith and teachings of Jesus. My experience here at the Mount only solidified my decision to convert.
For me, being a Catholic woman means being sensitive to the needs of those around me, no matter who they are or what they need. It means being aware of the injustices in the world, and speaking up and acting out against them. It means not judging anyone for the situations they might find themselves in, but being a supportive figure in their lives. It means standing up for women's rights and our right to decide what is best for ourselves, because do these stuffy men really know what's best for a woman? Especially when some of the issues being discussed currently will directly and negatively affect my personal health if approved. It means accepting all life as precious and worthy of our love and God's love, no matter their sex, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, religion, culture, etc., because that's what being a Christian really entails. Love and acceptance. For.All. No matter what.
I commend the Women Religious in the US for being a consistent presence in the face of injustice of all forms. Because of your courage, more people like me are finding their voice in the ongoing battle of social justice. You are living hope for all.
Aside from finally finding a church I felt I belonged in, I was really influenced by the Jesuit values that Canisius College sprinkles generously throughout their courses, extracurricular activities, organizations, faculty & staff, and eventually the student body themselves. From the teaching styles of professors, to the inclusion of community service as a requirement for many courses and the overall feeling of acceptance no matter who you are, the institution's ability to spread the ideals of social justice and Jesus' love for all are alive and well. It is such a positive representation of what being rooted in Christian values looks, sounds, and feels like.
This eventually led me to discover Campus Ministry and its array of service opportunities. After a couple of week-long service trips to NYC and Erie, PA, I came across the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, and my life was forever changed. Talk about a strong community of women, rooted in the Catholic faith and teachings of Jesus. My experience here at the Mount only solidified my decision to convert.
For me, being a Catholic woman means being sensitive to the needs of those around me, no matter who they are or what they need. It means being aware of the injustices in the world, and speaking up and acting out against them. It means not judging anyone for the situations they might find themselves in, but being a supportive figure in their lives. It means standing up for women's rights and our right to decide what is best for ourselves, because do these stuffy men really know what's best for a woman? Especially when some of the issues being discussed currently will directly and negatively affect my personal health if approved. It means accepting all life as precious and worthy of our love and God's love, no matter their sex, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, religion, culture, etc., because that's what being a Christian really entails. Love and acceptance. For.All. No matter what.
I commend the Women Religious in the US for being a consistent presence in the face of injustice of all forms. Because of your courage, more people like me are finding their voice in the ongoing battle of social justice. You are living hope for all.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Work Is.....Fun?!?!
So we are already three weeks into the Head Start season here at the day care, and our classroom already feels like a nice little family! It's kind of cool how that happens, and it's especially easy when you just mesh with the other adults you work with so seamlessly.
There are three adults in my room; myself and two others, and six children. I worked with the same people back in the fall when I first started out working here and it didn't take long for us to become comfortable with one another. So when I heard I was going to be with them again, I was really excited. We are all between the ages of 23-30, so it's nice to have a younger dynamic in the room and I must say that when we put our heads together we come up with some pretty creative projects for the kids. I think it also makes it easier on the children when the teachers are so at ease.
I really enjoy working in my room. I look forward to going to work every day because I know I will have fun with the kids and with my co-workers. I've never had that all-around feeling before within a workplace. Everyone makes me feel welcome, and they have from the beginning. I have never been treated as just a "volunteer". I am an equal, and it's nice to know that. I enjoy my work, and even though I don't make any money for what I am doing, it doesn't matter. Not having a paycheck hanging over my head has allowed me to really focus on my work and the reason I am doing what I am this year. I'm more passionate about my job, and I think it shows.
There are three adults in my room; myself and two others, and six children. I worked with the same people back in the fall when I first started out working here and it didn't take long for us to become comfortable with one another. So when I heard I was going to be with them again, I was really excited. We are all between the ages of 23-30, so it's nice to have a younger dynamic in the room and I must say that when we put our heads together we come up with some pretty creative projects for the kids. I think it also makes it easier on the children when the teachers are so at ease.
I really enjoy working in my room. I look forward to going to work every day because I know I will have fun with the kids and with my co-workers. I've never had that all-around feeling before within a workplace. Everyone makes me feel welcome, and they have from the beginning. I have never been treated as just a "volunteer". I am an equal, and it's nice to know that. I enjoy my work, and even though I don't make any money for what I am doing, it doesn't matter. Not having a paycheck hanging over my head has allowed me to really focus on my work and the reason I am doing what I am this year. I'm more passionate about my job, and I think it shows.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Letting Go
Something I am trying really hard to come to terms with this year is that it is OK to ask for help, or to talk, or just admit that I need a break. I am a pretty stubborn person, and I really hate feeling like I ask too much of others. However, this really hinders my ability to successfully deal with whatever is bothering me at a particular moment, and what I usually end up with is uncontrollable emotion that builds up inside until it just can't stay there anymore. I'm pretty desperate when I just let it go and break down and ask for that help. It literally is a cry for help.
I try really hard to be the tough adult that I think I should be at 23, but I forget sometimes that I am in such a transitional stage of my life that I can't possibly hold it together without the help of others, and God. To give you a sense of what may be going through my head at any given moment these days, here's a list:
-I have 4 months left here
-I need a job when I am done here
-I need to find an internship for school
-I also need to give my current ministry my full attention
-I need to find an apartment
-I need to do all of this while also living in the present moment and taking in as much as I can before this program is over
Now I don't think about all of this every second of every day, but when there are deadlines to meet, and when people ask related questions, it's hard to just leave it at that and forget about it. As much as I tell myself that everything will work out, because I know it always does even if it might not be how I imagined, it doesn't always take away the stress. But I know I need to be the adult and admit I need help with some things. It's OK to talk it out with others, and it's OK to break down in front of others. I am not any less of a person for doing so. And I need to give a little more to God than I currently do. I need to learn to let go of the control I feel I need over everything, because it's just not possible to have it all. I have endless support here, and I know this because I have tested every inch of it, whether I meant to or not. Whether it's 10 in the morning or 10 at night, or any other time of the day, someone has always been there, and someone always will be, and for that I am so very grateful.
Thank you for listening when I really needed someone to, even when I didn't think I did. You all know who you are. Because of this I can let go, I know I can, and be much freer than I was before.
I try really hard to be the tough adult that I think I should be at 23, but I forget sometimes that I am in such a transitional stage of my life that I can't possibly hold it together without the help of others, and God. To give you a sense of what may be going through my head at any given moment these days, here's a list:
-I have 4 months left here
-I need a job when I am done here
-I need to find an internship for school
-I also need to give my current ministry my full attention
-I need to find an apartment
-I need to do all of this while also living in the present moment and taking in as much as I can before this program is over
Now I don't think about all of this every second of every day, but when there are deadlines to meet, and when people ask related questions, it's hard to just leave it at that and forget about it. As much as I tell myself that everything will work out, because I know it always does even if it might not be how I imagined, it doesn't always take away the stress. But I know I need to be the adult and admit I need help with some things. It's OK to talk it out with others, and it's OK to break down in front of others. I am not any less of a person for doing so. And I need to give a little more to God than I currently do. I need to learn to let go of the control I feel I need over everything, because it's just not possible to have it all. I have endless support here, and I know this because I have tested every inch of it, whether I meant to or not. Whether it's 10 in the morning or 10 at night, or any other time of the day, someone has always been there, and someone always will be, and for that I am so very grateful.
Thank you for listening when I really needed someone to, even when I didn't think I did. You all know who you are. Because of this I can let go, I know I can, and be much freer than I was before.
Friday, April 13, 2012
How to Push Through a Wall
That really is the question for me these days. I briefly mentioned in my last post almost two weeks ago, now, that I needed something to shake things up. It took me a little bit to figure out what I really needed. But I think I got it: I need to get away for a few days.
And not just anywhere. I mean, I could very well sign out a hermitage for a few days if there was one free, or sign out a place down at camp, or go home for a weekend. I thought of all of those options. But what really kept popping up was the need to be a 23 year-old. My solution? Head to NYC/Long Island for a few days!
Don't get me wrong, I really do love it here at the Mount. I'm pretty content hanging out reading, putzing around online, playing games with a group of sisters, and just in general hanging out with different sisters here and there. I'm pretty easy going and it doesn't take a lot to entertain me most of the time. I just allow opportunities to materialize. However, that doesn't erase the rather obvious generational gap between us younger Rieppers and the rest of the community. It isn't a bad thing at all. I'm really quite comfortable with it most of the time. As one sister put it last week, Carrie and I are, in a sense, "ageless". She said we meld very well with various age groups. I think she's right, but every now and then I find myself wishing I had a few more people around my age to go out with and have some fun. But then, of course, that would involve time and money, both of which I do not have much of these days. Then again, some might argue that I have more time than I think, and the latter is not all that necessary to have a good time. Anyhoo, I broke down and booked a trip with Carrie to visit our friend who is just finishing up her first year of grad school at Long Island University.
I can't exactly pinpoint why I'm hitting my wall right this moment. It was bound to happen, and I'm honestly surprised that I made it about 7 months in before it hit. I don't have a problem with anything or anyone. I just need a little vacation before I tackle the final few months of the program, and then prepare to enter the chaotic world that is graduate school. I'm looking forward to the trip, and looking forward to reuniting with my friend who, by the time we arrive at the end of May, I will not have seen in about a year.
And not just anywhere. I mean, I could very well sign out a hermitage for a few days if there was one free, or sign out a place down at camp, or go home for a weekend. I thought of all of those options. But what really kept popping up was the need to be a 23 year-old. My solution? Head to NYC/Long Island for a few days!
Don't get me wrong, I really do love it here at the Mount. I'm pretty content hanging out reading, putzing around online, playing games with a group of sisters, and just in general hanging out with different sisters here and there. I'm pretty easy going and it doesn't take a lot to entertain me most of the time. I just allow opportunities to materialize. However, that doesn't erase the rather obvious generational gap between us younger Rieppers and the rest of the community. It isn't a bad thing at all. I'm really quite comfortable with it most of the time. As one sister put it last week, Carrie and I are, in a sense, "ageless". She said we meld very well with various age groups. I think she's right, but every now and then I find myself wishing I had a few more people around my age to go out with and have some fun. But then, of course, that would involve time and money, both of which I do not have much of these days. Then again, some might argue that I have more time than I think, and the latter is not all that necessary to have a good time. Anyhoo, I broke down and booked a trip with Carrie to visit our friend who is just finishing up her first year of grad school at Long Island University.
I can't exactly pinpoint why I'm hitting my wall right this moment. It was bound to happen, and I'm honestly surprised that I made it about 7 months in before it hit. I don't have a problem with anything or anyone. I just need a little vacation before I tackle the final few months of the program, and then prepare to enter the chaotic world that is graduate school. I'm looking forward to the trip, and looking forward to reuniting with my friend who, by the time we arrive at the end of May, I will not have seen in about a year.
Monday, April 2, 2012
New Beginnings Once Again
Today begins the Migrant Head Start season at the day care. It's hard to believe that these four winter months have just flown by. I remember saying goodbye to some of my little ones at Thanksgiving time like it was just yesterday, and now we're gearing up for a new group.
I will again be changing rooms and age groups, going back down to the younger toddlers. I think ours range from 22-26 months, or somewhere around there. I will be teaching with two adults that I worked with back in the fall, so we are already comfortable with one another. I'm really excited to begin something new because I'm definitely hitting a wall. Where exactly, I'm not so sure. But I need something to shake everything up, so hopefully this adds to that.
This week is also Holy Week. It will be a whole new experience for me. I've experienced the Triduum before, but definitely not like this. Maybe this week will shake things up as well and restore my balance somehow. I'm really looking forward to the experience.
I will again be changing rooms and age groups, going back down to the younger toddlers. I think ours range from 22-26 months, or somewhere around there. I will be teaching with two adults that I worked with back in the fall, so we are already comfortable with one another. I'm really excited to begin something new because I'm definitely hitting a wall. Where exactly, I'm not so sure. But I need something to shake everything up, so hopefully this adds to that.
This week is also Holy Week. It will be a whole new experience for me. I've experienced the Triduum before, but definitely not like this. Maybe this week will shake things up as well and restore my balance somehow. I'm really looking forward to the experience.
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