A Semester to Remember

 I've been taking some time for reflection from this past semester. I've been looking at these past few months and want to write down some of the things I learned in this busy, fast, sometimes challenging, yet rewarding semester!

August leaf

It's weird looking back at August, and the last days of summer vacation and right before things would start up again and get busy. I remember our camping tent cabin trip to Mt Lassen with my parents that got shortened due to the approaching fires. It was the last cusp of summer and what felt like the perfect opportunity to go away and enjoy the beautiful outdoors up north ,didn't actually turn out as planned. But we had a nice visit with my Aunt and her husband on the way back, though of course the skies were still smoky, at least we were safe.

I wasn't sure how to feel starting up a new school year at my job and commit to taking 2 classes that semester for my program. It was hard to put in words, but it felt like something new along with something that felt rather routine with not a lot of enthusiasm behind it. It was a mixed bag. 

There were a lot of thoughts percolating in my head, adjusting to a lot and knowing that it would be a whole different semester and latter half of the year. I described it to my sister as a whole different type of cross, of growing pains than before. It's sort of silly, but I remember really not liking my hair length. It sounds ridiculous and vain, but after getting my hair cut in June and donating it, it was just so much shorter than I had wanted. I was missing my longer hair haha 

There was exciting news with my sister getting engaged at the end of July! It was beautiful to hear and read about the engagement and how her boyfriend proposed, at the Conservatory of Flowers! And just a few weeks later in mid August, my brother proposed to his girlfriend of 3 in a half years! Shortly after I heard about it and was even able to see the ring after it was resized and cleaned (a family heirloom). I recall those days in August joyful, yet at times painful. So much was on my heart, once again, but in a new way. And with two engagements it was initially a lot to handle. Most of the time when it got to be too difficult or emotional, prayer and writing down all my thoughts and feelings were the best remedies. 

And that was a busy weekend, with a Mass that we went to for the installation of a new pastor at my childhood parish we went to with my parents and Steven and Ali. And it was nice to have Steven visiting that weekend after not seeing him since our road trip together in early June. And that Sunday, the feast of the Assumption of Mary, was our sister day in Davis. It was the last official breath of summer for me, but it was memorable to spend it a new place with sisters, lunch, shopping and talking. It was great to chat more with Meghan about our love and devotion to the Carmelites!

When I think about the start of the school year, my mind goes back to dinner at Blue Agave. It was my Mom's and sister's birthday, and my parents and I went out to a nice local restaurant to celebrate her birthday. It truly felt like a summer's evening, with people dining outside and the lighting lingering and the air warm. We sat inside near the window to look out. I couldn't believe growing up here, I had never step foot in this restaurant, it was a real treat to have a nice meal together and celebrate. 

It was the first week of school both for my job, and my program was just starting up again. I was adjusting to my schedule again and remembering feeling very tired with the long block schedule and no longer being on zoom, but in the end so much better! We celebrated my sister's birthday that weekend by going to Santa Clara to the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and then out to lunch in San Jose, and passing by my dad's childhood home.

Late August, my two sisters and I made plans to go to the city for a Sunday and check out some sites. That was a full day, but a lot of fun, and it was lovely weather. We attended Mass at St. Ignatius Church, walked around a museum, got lunch at a burrito place, and walked in the areas where we had our Hot Chocolate run in early 2020- feels so long ago! And also the place where Susie got engaged. It was a lot of walking, but worth it.

Susie looking out

The weekends were starting to feel more busy with plans on the weekends as well as assignments for my classes creeping up. I was enjoying what I was learning and especially liked my Professor for Information Retrieval Systems, and felt like I was learning so much. Labor Day weekend, we had sister time again with visiting Susie in Marin County and sleeping over. We talked a lot of wedding planning and just had fun being together, relaxing. We had a nice Mass in Petaluma and goodbye lunch for Ricardo's mom and met more of his family.

To help me throughout the week was attending Mass before work. It would sometimes feel like a sacrifice to wake up earlier, but in the end it was worth it and it would always make my day go better and have the graces I needed. I already knew my favorite class to sit in on at work was a U.S. History class. The teacher had so much passion and enthusiasm, it wasn't in an overwhelming or exhaustive way, but for me since the moment I stepped foot, it was inspiring and enjoyable. I've been relearning a lot ever since. 

My dear sister and I met in mid September and it was so nice. We enjoyed lunch at Panera and perused around a bookstore. I was touched and honored when when asked me to be the god mother of her baby in her womb, immediately I started crying and said yes!:)  In my thoughts, in my prayer journal, and in lamenting to my parents or sisters, this semester I admit has been one of complaining and frustration. There have been days where I'm not sure the next step, or how to make things better when they are hard and feeling unstimulated at work. That's been a big part of my prayer to God too. How much I've been cultivating this thing called creativity and innovation to make the inspiration come again, and to make the hard parts lighter.

 Another focus had been loneliness. I hadn't fully realized it was a gift in the form of a cross until my dear sister and I started reading Elisabeth Elliot's books, and what she shares about her own life and sufferings and loneliness. Finally, it felt like this burden could be brought forth in a more spiritual way, and for a particular reason. Through the Fall months, I was enjoying reading some of her books and gaining consolation as well as inspiration. 

I remember late September was Ali's good bye party at out house before her big move to Houston. It was exciting and joyful to celebrate, but again one that left me a thorn in my side. There was a lot going on with wedding details, and just things that I couldn't fully relate to now that sometimes it just feels like a lot, that I can't contribute and that's where it gets hard. It really has been its own cross! I remember going back to work that week and feeling slightly off, but then realizing that the Fall feeling was in the air and other things was exciting. Knowing that its it own season, everything is passing. 

October came and that's when my parents went up to Yosemite for a few days (still some smoky air), and I had Navidad to myself to keep me company. :) I made brownies for a baby shower I was attending at work, but then decided to buy them instead. It was exciting celebrating 2 teachers at work who were pregnant, but of course comes the interesting side of navigating conversation with co workers. In the end, it was better than I anticipated. We met up with my dear sister one day in October when she wasn't feeling too well, and we kept her company and helped with Santiago. We had lunch all together with my Mom, and then her and I did some shopping together for much needed Fall clothes- that was a real treat!

October left me the feeling of where can I connect with others like me, in my situation? Some days more than others brought that further into my heart and desires. It wasn't until a phone call with Meghan when we were able to chat and she brought up reaching out to an old friend of hers who was in the area and same stage of life/situation as I am. I had only briefly considered reaching out to this person, but then thought against it, perhaps it being rather obscure. But her encouragement made me more motivated to do so. 

Again, the weekends were fairly busy with work to do for my classes, assignments and even projects. It kept me challenged and motivated. Later in October, I babysat my sweet nephew Santiago and then the next day we celebrated Halloween together, and did trick or treating with him, that was a fun night! A few days before, I was inspired and encouraged hearing about the first Blessed Millennial, soon to be Saint Carlo Acutis. He would be around my age if he were still alive today, and I found his story and witness to the faith so beautiful and encouraging. At work, I researched him more and wrote down quotes from him to help and remind me. My dear sister sent me this prayer excerpt and it made me feel so blessed, and also enriched my faith, and trust. It was truly comforting, I love it.

November came around and I was excited for the Fall season to continue! And with the feast days of All Saints Day and All Souls, how beautiful and rich. I realized that November is at the top of my favorite months. With the anticipation of Thanksgiving and a break and Advent, there is true excitement in the air. I got inspired semi- randomly to learn German again after many years.

 It was such a breath of fresh air to finally have a day off on Veterans Day and take it slow, go to Mass and go to Starbucks and do some French studies with my Mom, that's always a joy! There was beautiful sunset glow through the vineyards that evening.  A little later on, I did meet up with an old friend of my sister(s), and it was wonderful. We had a great time catching up and getting to know each other better. 

In early November, my Uncle was visiting, and it was great to catch up and see him. We had an early birthday celebration for him and Santiago. Thanksgiving was almost here and my dear sister and I met up in Martinez like we did before during the pandemic and it brought back those summer memories. We had a lovely brunch and walk. 

Shortly after was break and my oldest sister and her family were coming to visit, so it would be a busier yet exciting and full break to see them and have some more quality time with them! Thanksgiving was very special and memorable with my dear sister and brother-in-law hosting, and having a good number of family members. We stayed up late and had a late drive back home, but it was so special. 

And then Advent started, and November was nearly over and a new liturgical year was in tow. How fast the year and semester had gone! My projects for my classes finished up and it was rewarding to look back on all that I learned. I reflect upon this past second half of the year, there has been a lot going on both inwardly and outwardly, but everything has been a blessing, a learned experience as well as a grace from God. 

A reminder from a picture from my sister

As I'm recovering from a cold and fever these past few days, it has taught me to slow down, breath and be present to the moment and just rest. I've enjoyed listening to the saint summit talks along with my sister and learning more about the saints, as well as speaker's podcast I really like. Although I haven't finished all my Christmas shopping yet, it will get done, this time in Advent is so special. Here's to the approaching Christmas season and closing out 2021!