A new year, a new you...

Here we are once again. A new year is upon us and just like every year, we are making promises to ourselves, resolutions to become skinner and healthier, master another language, learn to play an instrument, work on our sports skills, become better in our faith life, stop being so angry, do better in school. The new year finds us all with grand plans of becoming better, "new and improved" people.
This is all well and good of course, we should desire to improve ourselves, in fact, God asks us to do just that. But there is a problem. The world we live in today places an exaggerated focus on change. Somehow, change has come to be in many ways synonymous with happiness. Change the number on the scale if you want to be happy. Change your clothes if you want to be happy. Change the way you act if you want to be happy. Change, change, change. It's no wonder then that Obama won the election for President. He said the word change and that's all America had to hear. But all joking aside, come new years, even people who wouldn't normally join the mob start chanting "Change, change, change!" right along with everyone else. Why? What is it that makes us feel like we need to change because another year has come and gone? Maybe we don't like what we see when we look in the mirror. Perhaps we desperately wish we were better or more talented. Or it could be that we think ourselves boring. But whatever the motivation, people make resolutions every new year, and I would suggest that it is not necessarily a good tradition.
The resolutions we make for the new year often distract us from a very important fact. The fact that God loves us just as we are, slightly chubby, with out-dated clothes and imperfect German. Now you might be wondering, "Didn't you say God wants us to improve ourselves?" Absolutely He does. However, He also loves us unconditionally no matter where we are in life. He died as much for the sinner as for the saint. His love knows no bounds. So this year, resolve to love yourself, exactly where you are. Go ahead and make other resolutions too, like going to the gym to stay in shape or making prayer a greater priority in your daily life, but be patient with yourself. Rest easy in the knowledge that even if you fail, God will always love you. The important thing is that you tried, just trust God.
This new years, I will pray that every person comes to know that no matter what, they are loved unconditionally by God for exactly who they are. Not what they have done or have failed to do, not for who they will become, but for who they are right now. Unchanged and imperfect though we are, He loves us with a love beyond all human understanding. (Here's a song that expresses that beautifully - click here to listen to it!) Change shouldn't be the focus of each new year, rather, thanksgiving for the love of God renewed year after year after year. And for me, that's a reason to shout Happy New Year!!!

May God bless you and keep you now and always!
<3 Emily

This is Beautiful : )

Over Easter Break PC's campus burst into bloom and when we came back, we got to see PC in all it's flowery glory. The beauty was truly breath taking. Just walking from class to class became an enjoyable task. As the sun shone down brightly and the tree branches, all in bloom, gently swayed in the breeze, I can say I was completely content. For me, these sunny days were the perfect conclusion to what has been an absolutely wonderful year. It's crazy to flip through my planner and see that I only have two weeks left of my freshman year. Time really does fly when you're having fun. And that's exactly how I would describe my experience at PC, fun. The people I've met, the experiences I've had, the classes I've taken, the clubs I've joined ... basically everything about my first year here at PC has changed me and taught me something, and to me, that's fun, that's happiness.
Happiness. I've learned so much about that word this year. Because of my experiences and interactions I've had this year, I've come up with a new definition of happiness. It's a definition that is impossible to describe with words, it is something that must be experienced or witnessed to be truly understood. But when you do see it or experience it, it is something so beautiful. One of the experiences that really showed me happiness in a new light was the R.C.I.A. mass that took place Sunday, April 18th at the 7:00 mass. In the days leading up to the mass, I grew more and more excited, for all the other candidates, even though I didn't know most of them all that well. The night of the mass, the chapel was brightly lit and wonderfully decorated. The choir began to sing as students and families continued to come in, filling the chapel almost to capacity. Even before the procession began, I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. There was something truly beautiful about seeing young adults readily commit themselves to God. I just couldn't contain the happiness and excitement in my heart so the tears flowed down my cheeks as the smile on my face grew. After the baptism, the confirmation and Holy Communion, I cried again. As I myself received Jesus in the Eucharist, the tears will still fresh on my cheeks, but the smile had not vanished for a minute. The happiness of the candidates was contagious. They were absolutely radiant with happiness and the grace of God. Even after mass was over I cried, the happiness was just too much for me to contain. The joy and happiness I felt for all the candidates was indescribable, and seeing that joy and happiness brought about by God's grace mirrored on their face and in their every action, was more than enough for me. It was one of the most beautiful, most moving, most joyous experiences I have ever had.
I discovered a wonderful song ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4eLw3ZTFjg )only a week ago and although the song is most likely written in a secular sense of boy-loves-girl, it is easily and wonderfully converted to a love song from us to God. Listening to it that way, it serves as a reminder of how beautiful our relationship with God is and just how blessed we are to have Him love us in the completely unconditional way He does. It is my prayer that you realize how much you are truly and unconditionally loved and that you remember every day to seek the beauty in all things, because this, life, really is beautiful. <3

Ordinary is extraordinary

So, once again it's been a while since I last posted anything. But things have been crazy at PC ... exams, homework, papers galore ... oh the fun! Thankfully things have gone into a bit of a lull in terms of work, but I know it will pick up eventually. But another thing was keeping me from posting. I felt like I didn't have anything to write about. It isn't that I don't ever do anything interesting or fun, it's just that I couldn't think of anything worth posting. Everything I could think of was fairly normal and predictable. But then, it just hit me. It doesn't matter that my life seems ordinary to me, because even if it is, it's my life and that makes it special. My life is the one God has had planned for me since before I was born, and I'm the only one who can live my life the way God intended. I think this is something we forget all to easily. Living in a world full of glorified superstars whose lives seem to be anything but ordinary, people forget that ordinary can be good. In fact, in many cases, ordinary is better. When I wake up in the morning, I look at myself in the mirror and sometimes think to myself, "Man. I'm nothing special. I'm not pretty or anything, but man! I wish I was." This way of thinking is brought about by today's image obsessed media. Too many people, including myself, are often caught up in how they look, what they wear, and whether they're cool enough. I'm not saying everyone should walk around looking like a slob because they no longer care how they look. But I am saying that less attention should be placed on how we look, because in the end, it doesn't really matter. What it truly comes down to is who we are on the inside. So let's bring the focus back to the real person. It's not what we wear or how we look that determines who we are, it's what's on the inside, how we treat others, how we treat ourselves, what we think, what we do, that's the stuff that we're made of. And each and every person was created by God to be the unique, beautiful person that only they can be. In today's world where ordinary is synonymous with boring and uncool, we need to work tirelessly to show people that you don't have to dress as crazy as Lady GaGa or look as beautiful as Megan Fox or Angelina Jolie to be extraordinary. To be extraordinary you just have to be yourself, whoever that is. Just look at the word, extra-ordinary ... God doesn't want you to be someone you aren't, that's not what He created you for. He created you to be the extraordinary ordinary person you are. So be nothing more and nothing less than your very self, I can guarantee you'll be happy you did. <3

Valentine's Day!

Well, it's here, that age old holiday ... valentine's day. February 14th evokes different emotions for each person. Some people flat out hate it, either because they think it's over commercialized or because it reminds them they are 'alone' (hello Singles Awareness Day, aka SAD). For others, they love it and go all out, with sappy cards, candle-lit dinners, fancy gifts and hearts galore. This is not to say there isn't a happy medium of an impartiality of sorts, there is. Where do I stand you may ask. Somewhere in the midst of everything. But as I stand there in the middle of the crazy rush, I watch all the people swirl by and I'm struck by some of the things I see. Some of the people I see are so 'in love' that they can't take their eyes (or hands) off each other long enough to make sure their relationship is built on something stable. Some throw themselves into the fray, clinging to their new found love while still looking back to their friends. Others are perfectly content to watch people spin off into the crazy cycle of love, but others aren't quite so accepting. I see some people who stand off to the side, the look of longing in their eyes speaks of a deep sadness and sense of being left all alone. As the madness continues to swirl past my heart goes out to every person I see. For those whose relationship isn't built on something that will last, I wish they would realize that a relationship is so much more than a physical attraction, it's about a deep, long lasting friendship. My heart sings for those who have found a best friend and are now in love with them and I wish them all the best. I applaud those able to stand by and patiently wait for The One, I know their patience will be rewarded. Those who are lonely and feel left out, who feel like a hopeless case, my heart breaks for them. I wish I could tell them to be patient, that The One will come eventually, and that in the meantime, there is a love that will sustain them and never leave them. That is God's love. It is always present. Every day of our lives, God is there, loving us every step of the way. It's too bad that so many people are so caught up in being in a relationship and that it seems the only way to be fulfilled is by having a boyfriend or girlfriend. We can't forget that God's love is really the only thing that will completely satisfy us. No relationship can give us true happiness unless God has a place in that relationship too. On this valentine's day I hope you've been told that you are loved, because you need to know that you are. You are always loved. In fact, you are loved by the very one who created you, how amazing is that!? Know that in His great love for us, God has created a plan for each and every person. We need to trust in His boundless love and mercy, He will not neglect us. Even when you feel doomed to be an old spinster, a crazy cat lady or a old and lonely man, don't give up hope. God will guide you to exactly where you are suppose to be. We should never forget how loved we are ... but too often, we do. So if you're feeling alone, unwanted or unloved this valentine's day (or any other day of the year for that matter) know that there is someone who loves you, someone whose love will never falter, never fail, never end. To God, every day might as well be valentine's day because every day He shows us just how much He loves us. And that should be more than enough.
<3

The snow's here!

Today is a good day. Outside the snow is falling and sitting in the library in campus ministry sipping my tea, I feel pretty happy. Today PC canceled all classes, I got to sleep in and just now, as it approaches 3 o'clock, I'm getting settled in to work on some homework. Watching the snow fall wet and cold from the sky I am reminded of my childhood. Running around outside in my snowsuit, laughing and catching snowflakes on my tongue, sledding and making snow angels with my sisters. I look back fondly on the events of my younger years and half of me wishes I could go back to the good old days. The days of no homework, more sleep and just being carefree. But, as much as I would enjoy sleeping and having no big responsibilities, I wouldn't trade in what I have now for any of that. I used to look forward to the future in fear and wish I could stay a child forever. Now I see the folly of my childish wishes. I love my college life. It wouldn't be complete without the long nights of homework, and little sleep. But my friends and I still find ways to act like children again. Whether it's throwing food at each other at dinner, telling silly jokes or watching disney movies and singing along with all the songs, we find a way to release the child in us. The life I lead now is nothing like what it envisioned it would be, but I absolutely love it! Sometimes we find that God's plans for us are ten million times better than our wildest dreams. Sitting here in campus ministry, like I do so many times a week, I find that my reality is better than my dreams, perhaps that's why I don't sleep anymore. . .

Hello again!
Right now there are a million things I should be doing, writing one of my two papers due on Tuesday, Reading my English book, cleaning my room... But I'm not doing any of those things. All day I've been so unmotivated to do anything in the way of work. It's these days that are often the hardest. You have to really push yourself to get the smallest things done. Just to do something other than lay around talking with friends or creeping on facebook takes a massive amount of effort. But these are the days that test us. On these days we see if we have what it takes to push through. I won't pretend I'm perfect, I'll admit that sometimes I just don't seem to have what it takes and just give in and stop pushing myself. Life is all about balance though and I'm trying to find the right balance between giving myself chill time and working hard. It's a struggle that each of us has to go through on a daily basis. Leading a balanced life is a difficult goal to achieve, but it can be done. My family and friends are so wonderful in helping me maintain some sort of balance in my life, and for that and so much more, I am grateful. In the stressful times when I'm unmotivated I need to remember to count my blessings and realize just how blessed I truly am. To be surrounded by such an amazing group of friends here at PC and to have the support of my awesome family is priceless. There's a quote that goes, "Just because today was a horrible day doesn't mean tomorrow won't be the best day of your life. You just have to get there" and that couldn't be more true. So even though today I wasn't nearly as productive as I should have been or would have liked to be, I shouldn't be too upset, because, who knows, tomorrow may just be wonderful, but I won't know unless I accept the past so I can move on to the future. I need to understand that sometimes I fall short of my expectations for myself and I just need to work harder next time. It's all about growing and developing into the person we're suppose to be. That will take lots of effort and will be difficult, but what in life isn't? Besides, we have to remember that life's not a destination, it's a journey. Enjoy the ride.
<3

my college experience in pictures: a brief overview :)

Orientation, Day trip to Newport RI
(Left to Right): Emily, Kathryn, Meg, Danielle, Erin, Sabrina, Claudia, me

Midnight Madness at PC! Go Friars!
(Left to Right): Tommy, Claudia, Peter, Kevin, me, Joe, Emily

Halloween '09! Would you believe the large majority of us made our costumes earlier that day?! I wish I had pictures of the Halloween dance because it poured and the sprinklers came on and everyone was soaked. It was a blast!
(Left to Right): (back) Kathryn, Kevin, Jessie, Erin, Tommy, me (front) Danielle, Joe, Sabrina, Emily

In the library in Campus Ministry during finals week and all smiles!
(Left to Right): Tommy, me, Emily, Erin, Joe

My Friends and I made a Christmas dinner and ate together before finals week
(left to right): Joe, me, Danielle, Erin, Emily, Kevin, Trevor, Jessie, Sabrina

Evelyn, Niki and I in the snow over Christmas Break

Emily and I at the March for Life in DC

Andrea and I at the March for Life in DC

Meg, Sabrina, Emily, Tommy and I at the March for Life in DC

My Friend Erin drew this, she's so talented! This is my family at PC Brady Bunch Style!
(left to right): Me, Tommy Cody, Emily Corr, Joe Slattery, Sabrina Raulerson, Erin Fusco (the artist), Danielle Fontaine (my roommate), Kevin Lynch, Jessie Ngo

So...for those of you who are not able to see all this pictures on facebook...here's a brief synopsis of my life in pictures! I had promised pictures earlier, but never followed through, I figured better late than never. Hence this post.
<3>

La Vida Loca

Hello to all!!!
Gosh, it's been forever! So much has changed in the time that has past since my last post. When I wrote my last post I wasn't a senior in High School anymore but I also wasn't quite a Freshman in College. Now I can proudly say that I'm a second semester Freshman at Providence College. I am loving every minute here at PC, I really don't believe I could be any happier. Just last night I was talking with some of my friends about how we believe that God lead each of us to Providence College and worked in our lives to ensure that we met and became friends.
So much has changed in only a semester. I feel like I've grown so much. I never knew it was possible for so much to change in a matter of four months! I wish to God I had more time so I could update this more, but unfortunately the life of a college student is a rather busy one (I don't understand how some students can even find the time to party!). Don't get me wrong though, I'm living the crazy life, but I'm absolutely loving it! From my amazing friends to my crazy day-to-day schedule to nights of little sleep to stepping outside my comfort zone and exploring new territory, college is a wonderful, crazy experience that I am so blessed to be having. College is all about discovering who you truly are and who you want to become. Education is a gift we are blessed to partake of, never forget that and when your school work or insane schedule gets you down, think of how lucky you are, breathe, put yourself into God's open arms and trust that everything will be okay. Despite my hectic days and long nights full of homework and studying, I still find time for my fun with my friends, and most importantly, time for God. College is the experience of a lifetime and I'm grateful for every moment!
<3