Recalling memories and flowers

 

Upon praying in front of the Holy Family statue after Mass, (my favorite) I remembered that 5 years ago today, I graduated college. These flowers reminded me of the beautiful bouquet of bright flowers I held that my dear sister and family gave me as we took photos on that hot day on the field. 

Right now, it feels just like summer with the summer heat creeping in, the school year finished and relishing and enjoying these slower paced days, and the month dedicated to the sacred heart of Jesus. There is so much sweetness and beauty to bestow and take in. As John Mayer said in one of his songs, 'So much sacred in the month of June.' 

5 years, and so much has happened! I remember upon graduation, I was so ready and excited to close the chapter of what was a loopy, difficult, and lonely navigation of a road for those 3 years at university. It felt like I was finally coming out of a dark tunnel and could begin to see the light, with my family by my side. It was a breathtaking, joyful and surreal moment after all the isolation, and struggle. 

I remember I had my full name called for walking including my middle name, confirmation name as well as my Chinese name (meng lin) since I felt it was a symbolic gesture to include as I was graduating from college and my Chinese studies. We celebrated by going out to lunch at The Counter, and I received sweet cards and gifts, like a one-hundred-dollar bill from my brother, (thanks Matt!) and just enjoying the celebration with my family.  

You could say I learned a lot and although was beyond ready to start the undergrad journey, I didn't quite know what it would entail. I was just about to turn 25, and it would become one of my best and enjoyed years throughout my 20's (more on that later). I guess I felt like there was so much to look forward to after a rather trying time. That looking back on now was actually a very sacred and precious time despite the large learning curves, adaptability and disappointment in undergrad. I look at that season as making it my own and coming alive, and I'm thankful for that. 

I had some things to figure out and work out. But I was up for enjoying the process of it all, and not being a student for a time. I felt free and liberated. Of course, I was still navigating the friend thing and forming community but was wide with wonder of being in the working world after craving it for a long while. I was able to serve and be busy, and it was an active, and rewarding summer of really enjoying what I was doing. 

It was that summer where this blog got a new name (plum tree to samakti), and I began writing more on here as well as attending some ministry events with my sweet sister, volunteering weekly at the senior center, administrating and teaching a whole classroom of 5th graders and being innovative with inspiration strategies like a quote of the day, table points and prizes. I was also tutoring a student and studying for the CBEST math portion and just enjoying the ways and various excursions of learning outside the classroom. 

I was creating variety in my schedule, and it was a nice change! I would run at a local park for some new scenery, cook new and fun ethnic recipes- especially middle eastern, create Arabic videos, and join a church choir for 3 weeks. Life was good and I was so grateful to be on the other side of those challenges. 

In the kitchen, cooking Shakshuka or another middle eastern dish