Catholicism

I went to mass in Harrisonburg for the first time today, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.  It was a small gathering, maybe 20 people, most of them little old ladies.  It's funny, I was always fairly neutral about going to a Catholic high school, but since I've been in college I've appreciated it more and more.  Being exposed to that tradition for four years has allowed me to step into masses in Guatemala, Austria, and now downtown Harrisonburg with ease, to have a general idea of what's going on, and thus to feel comfortable there.  I find it strangely soothing to be a part of the whole ritual of mass every once in a while, and today was no different.  I got to meet a number of the old ladies afterward, and they were welcoming and full of compliments.  I might go back next week.  :)

Last Things

It's finally beginning to sink in that this is the end.  The end of 16 years of school, the end of a formative college experience, and the end of a stage of life.  Coming back from spring break I felt as if the semester absolutely could not be over quickly enough.  I was tired of school and ready to move on to something different, something bigger than EMU.  I kept saying, I know I'll miss EMU after I'm gone, but I can't even come close right now.  I've only regained a small bit of motivation since then, but I no longer have the burning desire to get out of here!  It's funny how you can almost feel nostalgic for a place even before leaving it.  Mostly it's the realization that this group of people will never again share this space in quite the same way.  Sigh.  I'm really excited about what the next year (and beyond!) will hold, but it's hard to envision how the relationships I've formed over the past four years will change.  I decided a couple weeks ago that I'm doing PULSE next year, which basically involves working with a nonprofit and living in an intentional community house in Pittsburgh.  Funnily enough, I do have an EMU friend who will also be doing the program!  Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is that EMU is a wonderful place with wonderful people, and I just wish I didn't have all this homework to distract me from enjoying all my last things here to the fullest.  ;)  On another note, there have also been some firsts for me here at the end, like going salsa dancing at the Artful Dodger, helping to plan a church service at The Table, and winning at a murder mystery dinner party!  So here's to all the other firsts and lasts coming up in the next month!