Morning Hair Cut

'Do you want coffee or tea?' I had coffee, even if I didn't actually need it but the experience of having coffee with having my hair cut seemed nice and therapeutic. 

I started to reflect upon all that had happened since I had been here last, which was January. So much had happened! And almost a whole year has gone by- crazy to think. All the time since my hair had grown out and the seasons and schedules changed, and how I have grown in between. It was a new beginning with the whole year to anticipate and entering into a new job, a new semester. But also, each hair trim or cut in some small ways can feel like a fresh start.

'How's life?' As she asked in a nice and inviting tone, sometimes it's hard to know how to answer but I reflected and recalled to myself on all the months in between, all the growth, the hard parts and pain, the joys and accomplishments - the winter, spring, and summer, the pieces that make up 2024 thus far. 

The now Autumn feel in the air creates a newness all its own. Crisp mornings, spotted sunlight, crunchy leaves, orange and pumpkin obsession, and many things to be grateful for. 

 

Remembering St. Therese

 St. Therese of Lisieux's feast day was a few days ago. I kept her in mind throughout that whole day and realized that this year has been a 'St. Therese year'. Every time I look at my phone, I see an image of her, as my screen saver is her, with a shower of roses. When I got my new phone in January, I decided I wanted an image of her every time I use my phone.

Also, I would think of St. Therese often when I would walk into my job earlier this year. I would pray to her as my new job quickly became a bad job (or I already realized that before I even started working) and ask her for the graces to endure it.

St. Therese, I feel has been following me, even in little ways- hence her name, the little flower, and she is a Doctor of the Church and known for her little way. I wrote about that on one of my blog posts. Here is another blog post I wrote about St. Therese of Lisieux. 

I found a prayer card of her while looking around at a cute, catholic thrift store in Monterey and have since put it near my lamp stand so I see it every night and every morning. 

I recently read a book that was about St. Thérèse and her childhood, her suffering, hardships she endured and also later when she was a Carmelite nun. The book was quite informative and inspirational. The title is called The Context of Holiness. 

I've learned more about St. Therese through reading the above-mentioned book, as well as imagining what she would do in certain situations, such as how she would treat people she didn't particularly like (also mentioned in the book), her joy and cheerfulness, her love for God and her family. 

When I think of her, I want to be more like her in her holiness, her joy, her humility, and service. I also feel that she has 'chosen me', as the saying goes- the saint chooses the person. She was also the youngest girl in her family, sensitive, close to her mom (before her mom died when she was only 4 years old.)

On her feast day last Tuesday, I was thinking of some sort of sign to be reminded of her. Sure enough, in one of the classes I was helping in, I saw a boy wearing a shirt of a rose on it. And roses are also a symbol of her, as one of her names is the 'little flower', and in images and paintings she often holds roses. 

Also, when I went to stop by the chapel after work, outside I saw many roses in the garden- which I always do, but that day felt more special:) 

When I spent a little time in the chapel, I was reading a great book, Interior Freedom by Jacques Phillipe. And as I was reading, he was mentioning St. Therese of Lisieux! It was another perfect connection on her feast day. 

Paint!

 This is one of my favorite memories of summer. 

Now with the still hot and warm weather in full swing, the feeling of Fall is incrementally in the air. I think about summer and some of it feels like a blur. If I think a bit harder, I recall some of the aspects of it. Some parts were harder than others, and others I remember more easily. 

Of course, the one that comes to mind is Paint Nite, which I always wanted to do. I wasn't looking for it, but when I saw a sign up for it, I knew I had to do it as it may be my only opportunity. I'm so glad I did. It was fun, inspiring, relaxing and memorable. I've had the painting hanging up in my room ever since. 

God Whispers

 Yesterday felt like a catchup day. With my sisters- chatting, desperately seeking quality time, as well as a slow start to a slowdown from a busy and tiring week. Somehow life's lessons came and I started to ponder these things and also see them as God's whispers. 

-I woke up with a weird feeling in my sock, something near my toe. I found that part of my toenail on my big toe was coming off. 

Lesson- This season is one of 'peeling off', of letting go, and just like the falling leaves, anticipating new growth and experiences. 

-When my sisters and I were at the coffee shop, it was crowded, and busy. We waited long for our drinks. Somehow, I got the wrong drink. I picked up someone else's order, yet I heard the barista say it was the drink I ordered when I directly asked. It didn't look or taste at all what I ordered.

Lesson- Focus on your life. Focus on what God is placing in yours, not other people's lives where it completely distracts from the moment or the 'drink' that has been prepared for you. It's the right one and the not the one someone else has. It won't feel right, and definitely won't taste very good. 

-Heavy traffic and was worried my gas tank was almost on empty. Luckily, I was able to reach the gas station right when my light turned on. 

Lesson- God comes at just the right moment, when our tank is empty, and we are literally on fumes. He is never late and helps us in all our needs. 

Same Place But Not

 There's nothing like being brought back to your past in an instant. It's not a trigger, but rather a raw and interesting time that only God could do, to see where you have been and where you have come. It's rather a flashback, a 'Godcidence', and I can't help but smile. 

Walking past or inside that library at the school, I want to look and tell my past self some encouraging things. About what the future will look like, and it will all come full circle and make sense and be worth the growth. My heart was revealing and leaking out this pain, and bitterness like a punctured water balloon. Not only was it leaking, but it was shrinking in passion, interest and confidence of the next steps. 

I want and currently am focusing on God's ways and promises, and trust in that, since that was all I could cling to at the time. 

I was there, at a table helping students and remembering almost a year ago of being here for my internship. It feels almost like it happened last week. God's ways are and can be mysterious and yet perfectly make sense.

Nothing beats God's surprises, and the ways in which he works, and even makes us smile and laugh in between. I'm so grateful for where I am right now. 

Dental Office

 I saw my dentist appointment as a reminder from God to trust and let go. To let go of things I'm used to, expectations or even shortcomings and sins. I think of teeth cleaning and plague as a stubborn attachment to things, and cleaning and flossing as God's grace to wash away these stubborn streaks in personality, as well as faults in our spiritual lives.

It wasn't until I got my retainer cleaned after many, many years (I honestly can't remember the last time) that I saw the real difference. I was so complacent with how ugly and disgusting it looked with all the grime stuck on it, it just was how it was inside or outside my mouth. But once I got it cleaned at the dentist office, my retainers had color once again and see through texture. It felt smooth and nice in my mouth and didn't feel embarrassed looking at them. 

This cleansing could easily be seen in the spiritual life with our souls, even detachment and acceptance. I also think of the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Something simple, even ordinary with a dental office can have affective spiritual lessons. :)

God's Goodness

God's goodness feels like eating a cheese danish. 

Not just one, but two.

And it was free. Or else they would throw it out the next morning. 

My 5 dollars covered my coffee from recycling cans.

My mom and I had a nice, peaceful and fun time reading, drinking and eating at our favorite cafe spot overlooking some mountain ranges and vineyards with traffic hidden from the beautiful view and noise covered from the nice vibe and tunes. 

God's goodness is tested with patience, waiting and hoping to hear back from a job. And checking my phone every few minutes to see if I have a mis call. 

God's goodness is revealed when upon surrendering and saying to myself 'closed door', I hear back from the job and get an offer. I feel nothing but sheer joy and peace. And thank God with tears. 

Nothing to Prove

 This year was different. I felt that we had all grown up in different ways, more mature, more introspective, life experience and at times hard life lessons. Admittedly, I enjoyed myself more and I think I showed it too. Deep down, I could feel the graces from God from all the prayers and preparations and mindset these past summer months. 

I realize how selfish I can be, self-centered and even opinionated at times. I'm used to my 'independent' schedule and need to adapt to embrace this time, the hosting, serving, being together and connecting. I need time to adapt to a more 'exhausting' schedule that looks like multiple plans in a day to maximize the time and make it memorable and special. 

Burn out becomes quite real, and time to step away and think, pray, write or even some screen time do wonders for my energy to rise and feel back to a normal barometer to last the rest of the day. And I've realized that that is okay, and I don't have to apologize, or feel bad or put harsh expectations on myself that no one else is putting. 

I've seen it differently this time, in all the ways God has been showing me. To not just be an Aunt, a closer in age relative or sister type figure to my nieces, but also an example, a role model in my own unique way. 

I used to think that my life was less important or had lesser value compared to my other siblings because I wasn't married or had children. My life perhaps didn't look as 'fulfilling' or desirable or even one to admire or emulate to my nieces because my vocation hadn't started yet. I realize this is such a lie from the devil. 

I thought I had to prove something, so in some ways subconsciously my Masters program and my internship kind of did the work for that. 'Look, I have something to show for my life and efforts too!' Of course, that was an illusion since my internship turned out to be a horrible and hard experience and I didn't feel a lot of peace or joy in the last remaining parts of my rigorous program either. Instead, I was just trying to get through it and graduate. 

Fastforward a year later, I see the growth and maturity in me, and this time around with my nieces visiting. Those hard and raw parts from last year are over and done, and many lessons are behind me. I don't feel I have anything to 'prove', but rather an invitation to this is me, this is my life, this is what God is doing and has done. Not to say it's easy or seamless a majority of the time. I have my fair share of days when singlehood feels so raw, painful, and deep and the desires on my heart for marriage shake me to the core. But I look at what I have, what God is doing and will continue to do and try to remember to be grateful for all the graces and the silent, simple example I can give even in the thick of the storms. 

For My Mom, on Her Birthday

 There are so many things I know and love about mom. Others would agree and say the same- strong, fighter, young at heart, beautiful, listener, lifelong learner, baker, intuitive, faith filled, giver, friend. It seems that this though is just a start to a long list of traits that snake around the world and back again of all that you are and all that you've done.

 I will start by saying that though your 69th year brought trials, challenges and even suffering, your strength and faith in God pulled through. It was a year unlike any other with a pilgrimage to Ireland, going to Lake Sisko, driving to the Central Coast and seeing the missions, and welcoming 2 new grandchildren. 

I am so grateful for you- such a strong force in my life, an anchor, a friend, sharing things like books, clothes and recipes, stories, experiences and laughter. 

Some of my favorite moments of this year include going to HMB- captivated by the ocean waves and going to our favorite lunch spot and making a visit in the church; styling and brushing your hair when you weren't feeling well; going to Starbucks; waking up early with me to swim but instead you got us coffee; watching The Chosen in theatres for free after we used up all your regal gift cards, watching me walk across the stage to receive my Masters. 

I am grateful for what God has done in your life mom and will continue to do this new year and decade. Happy 70th birthday mom! You deserve the best. I love you!!

Losing Creativity and Finding It Again

 I was attempting and starting to apply to a job that didn't feel quite right but was pushing myself to go for it anyway. It was mid-June, and I felt like I had to have some prospects on the horizon as it had been a month since graduation. 

As I was starting to apply, in the background I had an audio playing of my sister's old friend. She was reading a written piece of hers to an online forum of other writers. My sister was friends with her back in middle school and high school and one of those people that we think of from time to time since she's just so original, talented and eclectic. 

It's inspiring to think of people like that, and so my sister shared with me this video of her old friend reading her original writing piece. It was interesting as I was listening and multi- tasking since I noticed I felt deprived. I felt deprived of this creative energy and strong voice from her writing. I missed entering into my talents, hobbies and interests, realizing more so that they were put on the back burner for a long while as I was busy pursuing my Masters, working, but mostly fully trenched in schoolwork, assignments, papers, and reading that felt far from my natural talents and interests most of the time.

So here I was, looking into applying to a part time library position at a school and my stomach and my shoulder muscles tighten, and I feel and sense something is not right, it feels off. I feel a little disjointed with myself- listening to someone's art piece while I'm struggling to even apply to a job that I feel I should even if it doesn't fully align somewhere deep inside. 

I've realized I've been craving some of my own creative endeavors, and listening to someone else's only stirs that desire more where once it felt dormant. I decide to take a break, think about it, especially if it's stressing me out. I go two weeks without any job searching and instead think, process, but mostly start to enjoy life again where I can focus on my hobbies of creating and less pressure for the time being. There was freedom, peace, and surrender. It only continued from there. 

Full Circle

 I parked in the same spot I did many months ago. It felt almost strange, but then again made sense for why I was here. The same school I came to for part of my internship last Fall for the middle school book club, was the school I had my interview yesterday. It was throughout that time that I felt a sense of loss, a depth of sadness, pain even. It nearly felt like I could be on the brink of tears in my sorrow throughout that time, always looking back of what once was, what I found joy and peace (working with students) in left me for a loss of words most days for the path that I was on, as things started to become more real and clear.

I feel I have come full circle and am proud of myself for this journey. It hasn't been anything close to easy or simple, but messy, impatient, struggles, doubt and deep questioning. Trying to be open to what and where God is leading me as well as where I feel most called to deep down, even admitting of it doesn't relate back to my Masters.

 I would be amiss to say I've been hesitant and dare I say even fearful of others' opinions at times, or criticisms that almost feel up for display that could lack genuine questions going deeper into my journey, my prayer, my discernment these past months and years and where it has lead up till now.  However, coming out of the interview, I felt peace, confidence and even joy. Though not knowing the answer, I felt like I was in the right place and God blessed my efforts. I felt like I was home, and listening to these inner desires of where I feel called to be, and ultimately trusting God for what he has planned.