You know what’s great?  People who absolutely love what they do, and where they are, and whomever they’re with.

I just started my summer internship, which involves assistant teaching, coaching, and RA-ing at a boarding school.  I was hoping that my return to the States would be accompanied by a return to normality, but so far this experience is ANYTHING but normal.  I am so overwhelmed by another completely new environment and a new set of challenges… but I am PUMPED about it because everyone I meet here is so head-over-heels in love with their jobs and their lives.

I love these kind of people.

Anyway, I was thinking about all these ridiculously happy people today, and how I am so happy to be surrounded by them, and I realized… when am I not surrounded by such happy people?  I chose Holy Cross because it made me feel just as happy, and almost all of my classmates are the same way.  Everyone I have met in the past three years is overflowing with passion for something, be it my professors or my peers or my coworkers or anybody.

That’s the point of college, isn’t it?  To find what you are passionate about.  To fall in love with your life.  The incoming freshmen are at Gateways Orientation this week – if any of you are still reading this blog, that’s my advice for your next four years.  Rising seniors, THAT’S what I hope you find when you are choosing a college.

“Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

–Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

If I’m lucky, maybe I will be surrounded by these kind of people when my college experience is over.

Here’s to summer, everybody.  I won’t be posting nearly as often as during the year, but stop by periodically if you want to read other such philosophical musings about love and life and teaching.  Otherwise, I will start vigorously blogging again in August when my FINAL HOLY CROSS ADVENTURE begins!

It has been a week now since I left Rome.  My last week in the Eternal City was overwhelmed by finals, packing, and last-minute sightseeing.  I tried to relax and just walk around the city, just soaking it in, just me and Roma… one last time.  My friends and I went to a papal audience to bid arrivederci to Pope Francis, who will forever be our pope.  On our last night, we spent the whole night out in the city, walking.  We threw our coins in the Trevi fountain.  We danced in front of the Colosseum.  We stood on our hill, Monte Mario, looking out over the dome of St. Peter’s, and watched the sunrise while swallowing our tears and shivering from the cold morning air.

Taking advantage of my long zoom.

Just before dawn in Rome. How I love this city!

But, there are always things to do and places to be.  Soon, the time ran out and I was on a bus to the airport to catch my flight to America.  I was sad – I am still sad! – to leave Rome, but oh did it feel good to be back in the States again!  I stopped in Worcester on my way home to see my friends and the classics department, all of whom I have missed so much this year.  I even hitched a ride to the last ballroom competition of the year, where I was so excited to meet the freshmen dancers and support my team (and I caught the dancing bug again.  To my partner Andrew:  come home so we can swing!).

Lauren and Chris, looking FANTASTIC on the rhythm floor. I really did not realize how much I missed competitions until I got there that morning.

One of the best parts about Holy Cross? Hanging out with the lovely Emma whom I haven't seen in over a year!

And then even in Worcester my time ran out, and I was just as sad to leave the Hill as I was leaving Rome.  Holy Cross has always been and will ever be my home away from home – I’ve said it before, but the worst part about being abroad was not being on Mt. St. James!  And yet, every time I leave someplace I love, I end up somewhere else that I love more, because I am living a very blessed life.

I am home for real now, and I have finally had some time to myself to breathe and reflect on this whole, insane, amazing year.  I cannot shake that one phrase that has echoed through this blog all year, and perhaps all of my three years as a Crusader:

How, how, how did I get so lucky?

I would like to say that my year abroad has changed me, but I know that isn’t true.  I am still me.  But something has changed.  Something feels different, and I am not sure what it is.  Maybe I am looking at the world differently.  Maybe my world is looking at me differently.  Maybe I have a new appreciation for my hometown, or for Worcester, or for Boston.  Maybe I have a greater sense of adventure… or maybe I have a greater love for staying home.

Maybe I am just still adjusting to the fact that everyone speaks English here.

Whatever it is, something has changed, and it is a good change.  While I was at Holy Cross this weekend I somehow got roped into talking about study abroad with the classics majors going away next year.  I gripe, but I not-so-secretly loved the opportunity to talk about my year and answer all the questions my friends have – the same questions I had a year ago about Athens and Rome (the two most beautiful cities in the world and the loves of my life!).  I cannot contain my excitement for them as they begin this adventure that I just finished.  They have no idea what is coming.  They cannot fathom, as I did not fathom, just how incredible the year (or semester) abroad will be, just how transformative it is, just how life-changing the year will be, just how lucky they are… yet.

Yet.

I almost wish I were joining them (bright-eyed, unknowing and nervous) and doing it all again!

But I have a new adventure to take on now.  I thank God every day for my blessed, blessed life… and now it’s time to get on with it.

Arrivederci, Roma.  Yassou, Athene.  I’ll be seeing you.

As always, the prettiest view in the whole city.

So… senior year, anyone?

It is the last week of classes and I am just in shock.  Spring has come to Rome!  Everything is blooming and it is starting to feel like summer vacation… I certainly don’t want to sit in class, but I also cannot accept that this is the end.

Sometimes, I walk around and I run into buildings like this and it just seems so quintessentially Roman and I fall in love with this city all over again.

You know all that stuff I was saying about how I am tired and ready to go home?  That’s still true, for the most part.  I am ready to go home.  But the thought of leaving beautiful Roma… oh, it’s breaking my heart.  I read the other day that “Rome is love spelled backwards,” and it is absolutely, undeniably true.

[Because “Roma” backwards is “Amor” and that means love… get it?  Get it?  So clever.]

This week the J-Force held its end of the semester banquet, and that is when I fully realized what is coming.  The end of the semester.  The end of the adventure.  The moment when I have to bid all these beautiful people and this beautiful city and this experience that has changed me so much good-bye, maybe forever…  I have been repeating this to myself (and on this blog) over and over and over all semester in hopes of preparing myself for this moment.

But it didn’t work.

Oh, Roma, how can I say good-bye?

Mark my words: I'll be back.

On a more pressing note:  Though I am consumed with Rome, my thoughts and prayers are truly in Boston this week.  I am, like everyone, dumbstruck and scared.  Please, keep staying safe.

This week, my parents came to visit!  It was so fun to show them around this city that I love so much, and even better to just spend some quality time with my parents, whom I have missed so much.

We did a grand tour of the Eternal City while they were here, as I tried to show them EVERYTHING I have been seeing and doing and ALL THE THINGS I love about Rome… which comes down to EVERYTHING.

Greetings from Roma!

I figured out where I got the "loves to touch old stuff" gene from. Dad in the Colosseum.

It was so good to see them and I hope they had a great time!  I know I did.  But, my parents’ visit also made me a little (and by a little I mean a lot) homesick.  This year has been incredible, wonderful, life-changing, the most amazing year… I would not change a thing, and if I could, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.  However – as much as I hate to leave the Eternal City – now I am tired, and ready to go home.  Just a few finals and then I will be seeing you in America!

Audrey Hepburn said, “Paris is always a good idea”… and oh, was she right.  I saved Paris for my last trip of the semester, not for any particular reason except that I was terrified to go, since I don’t speak a lick of French!  When I got to Paris, that really did prove to be a challenge, but somehow we managed – and Paris was incredibly lovely anyway.

Here we are, taking Paris by storm!

The weekend was freezing and foggy, but it was freezing and foggy in PARIS.  My friends and I spent most of our time just walking through the streets and, more importantly, eating.

Obligatory "try the escargot" adventure.

And eating.

The macaroons were probably (no, definitely) my favorite part.

Consequently, all of my pictures are of streets and food.

All of the buildings are just ASKING to be photographed!

And then, halfway through my trip, my camera died!  How disappointing.

Can we just take a minute to talk about how this was my last trip of the year?  My last trip.  I have seen so much this year.  I have done so much.  And now, it has hit me quite fully that my great adventure is coming to an end… imminently.

Wow.

I have just about a month to relish my time in Rome, and you know I will make every second count.  But then, it’s back to the Hill – and I am so excited to see campus again!  Holy Cross has been my home away from home since the first day I walked down the halls of Fenwick… I cannot wait to be home.

Holy Week in Rome was a truly profound experience.  It began on Holy Thursday, with mass and a pilgrimage through ten of the city’s churches (affectionately called a “church crawl”).  On Good Friday, campus ministry at the J-Force held another small service, and then we all headed downtown for the Stations of the Cross… at the Colosseum… with the Pope.

Finally, I was lucky enough to celebrate Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.  My friends and I got up at 4am one last time to make it downtown, and we ended up in the first section of seats!  I was particularly amused to find an actual line forming around the colonnade when we arrived (LINES don’t enter the piazza, MOBS do!).  We were all terribly confused – a line?  In Italy?  I don’t know how this works? – but, never fear, the Italian police quickly showed up to herd us into the usual horde of people and everything was back to normal.

Easter mass was very exciting.  It was done mostly in Latin – surprisingly, all the other masses I have been to at the Vatican were not! – but as usual, they somehow passed out programs that allowed me to follow (and sing) along.  After mass and the obligatory ride around the square in the popemobile, Pope Francis gave his Urbi et Orbi message and blessing.

Afterward we enjoyed a long, late lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Osteria dell’Anima – famous for its pasta stuffed with pear – and I went home to take a nap!

It was a lovely Easter, though the holidays always make me miss home that much more.  But I only have a month left – only a month! – and then my grand adventure is coming to an end.  Well, THIS grand adventure.  Senior year will be another adventure altogether.

"So this is the invitation which I address to everyone: Let us accept the grace of Christ’s Resurrection! Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish. And so we ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace. Yes, Christ is our peace, and through him we implore peace for all the world." - Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi, Easter 2013

Here is wishing you all a blessed and joyful Easter all the way from Rome.  Happy Easter everyone!

We are approaching Holy Week and we have a new Holy Father, so my life has become ALL VATICAN, ALL THE TIME.

And I couldn’t be happier about this development.

Of course, everybody in the whole city seems to have the same idea.  St. Peter’s Square has been packed lately, no matter when I go, and the events attached to the new papacy only add to the madness.  In the past week I have gotten up at an absurd hour three times already – once for a pilgrimage to Assisi, once for the papal inauguration mass, and once, this morning, for the Palm Sunday mass presided over by Pope Francis himself.

First, let me say once again, I feel so lucky and so very blessed to be here now.  This experience – the excitement of the new pope and the upcoming Easter season – has inspired me and has filled me with joy.  The opportunity to study abroad is a blessing in itself, and the opportunity to be in Rome right now… even more so.  I will say it again and again, but I do not think I will ever be able to express just how grateful I am to have been given this chance.

And now to catch up.  After all the excitement of the papal election last week, a small group of students here at the J-Force made a pilgrimage to Assisi with campus ministry.  This trip had been planned since the semester started, but the timing could not have been more perfect!  It was incredibly moving to go to Assisi just after our new Holy Father took his name from St. Francis of Assisi.  We spent the day learning about St. Francis and St. Clare, reflecting on their lives, and praying for Papa Francesco and the future of the Church… and then ended the day with a large, delicious dinner at an agroturismo in Perugia.

The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi

The Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi

I have to include this picture to illustrate just how mind-boggingly gorgeous Assisi is.

The following Sunday was Pope Francis’s first Angelus.  Every Sunday at noon, the pope looks out over St. Peter’s Square to say a few words and pray the Angelus with the thousands of pilgrims who flock to Rome.  I made it down to the Square at about 10:30 and could not even move, the crowd was so thick.  Little did I know then, but that was because Papa Francesco was coming out into the street to greet people (much to the dismay of the Swiss Guard, I’m sure!).  At noon, the pope began his sermon in Italian, of course, and though I did not understand much, it felt very friendly and casual – like I was hearing the homily from the priest at my parish back home.  He even cracked a few jokes (at least, all the Italians around me were chuckling…).

Then, on Tuesday, the pope’s inaugural mass was held in St. Peter’s Square.  Unlike the Palm Sunday or the Easter masses, this one had no tickets… so getting in was a crazy, crazy free-for-all!  My friends and I got up at 4am to start walking down to the Vatican and we still weren’t first in line (I don’t know how, but there is always someone awake earlier than us!).  When the gates finally opened at 6:30, the crowd just started to push – which was the most terrifying experience of my entire life.  I just had to relax and let myself be pushed through the funnel caused by some hasty security checks.  Finally, though, we all made it in alive and got a good spot right by an aisle.  Unfortunately, no tickets means no chairs, so we had to stand all through the mass (which did not start until 9:30!), but OH WAS IT WORTH IT.  A little before mass started, Papa Francesco came out in the popemobile and began greeting the crowd, which was awesome.  The mass was shorter than we were expecting, and we all had been given little books as we entered (don’t ask me how they got those books passed out in the chaos), so we could actually participate and sing along.  This was my first big mass at the Vatican, and I was amazed at how intimate it felt, even though I was there, standing, with 100,000 other people.  The greatest feat of the day, however, was how they managed to distribute communion to all 100,000 of those people… I would call it a miracle.

The Swiss Guard is preparing the aisle, so that must mean...

...the pope is coming! Buongiorno, Papa Francesco!

Finally, this morning was the Palm Sunday mass.  For this one, we were lucky enough to have tickets (and chairs!) so we only left at 6:45.  Unlike the papal inauguration, which was loud and excited like a pep rally, this mass felt more like a mass, with everyone remaining silent and prayerful as Papa Francesco rode in on his popemobile.  Palm Sunday mass was very long, as usual, and I got home exhausted this afternoon, but it was absolutely worth it.  It’s always worth it.

I am so happy to be here.  I cannot believe I am here.  And I am so excited for Holy Week.

I cannot believe I was here to see such an incredible, historic day.

Since the conclave started yesterday, I fully intended to be in St. Peter’s Square as often as possible.  So, as soon as I got out of class this morning, I headed downtown – just in time to see the black smoke go up at 11:30.

I knew there was going to be another vote, so I decided just to stay.  If I waited five hours, at least I would have a prime spot to see the smoke, right?  But I didn’t think it would be today.  Everyone I have talked to has been predicting Thursday or Friday.  But I don’t have any other classes on Wednesday, so, why not hang out?

A friend of mine joined me and we set up camp in the square.  As the day progressed it became more and more crowded, and we met all sorts of people who overheard us speaking English and stopped to ask us questions.  One man, a Canadian, was thoroughly unimpressed by the size of the chimney, while another, an American living in Thailand, was very much concerned with finding some coffee.  I talked to a group of women from Texas who, upon finding out I’ve been living here for a few months, immediately quizzed me on the markets where they could buy some Italian yarn (must be knitters!) and another group of moms who were chaperoning their high school choir’s Italian tour… apparently they were supposed to perform for the Pope today (of all days!) until Benedict announced his resignation!

My friend and I slipped out around 6pm to get something to eat and take a break from the cold and the rain.  We had to squeeze our way back into the square at 6:45, but thank goodness we did, because soon after that white smoke came pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney.

White smoke!  I could hardly believe it!  Suddenly everyone around me started to scream and run forward to the steps of the basilica, and we happily – ecstatically – joined them.  People were crying, cheering, and singing all around me, cameras were flashing everywhere, and everyone in Rome was on their way to St. Peter’s Square.  We weaved as close as we could to the front, and then waited for the new Pope to appear.

About forty-five minutes later, the announcement was made:  “Habemus papam!”  When we discovered it was the Argentinian cardinal, shouts of joy erupted from the group next to me – a priest from Latin America and some of his parishioners.  Not long after, one of the women in the group remembered “‘E Jesuita!“, and that shout passed through the crowd.

Then, accompanied by a fanfare, the new Pope Francis appeared on the balcony.

I cannot believe I was there to witness it.  I am shocked, awed, speechless – well, I suppose not exactly speechless.  This blog post is already almost 500 words long.  Pope Francis welcomed the crowd, made a few jokes, said a few prayers, extended a blessing (I didn’t understand much, though, since it was in Italian!) and had a moment of silence.  The whole square actually fell silent, which was awesome and beautiful, albeit a bit eerie.  Then he said “Buona notte!” and sent us all home.

And… I was there.

Viva il Papa!

This spring break, I was so excited to have my friends Becky and Hannah fly ALL THE WAY from Holy Cross to visit Christine and I!  We had a fantastic time exploring Rome, Naples, and Capri (even though there were more than a few travel mishaps…).

The week was so long and we did so much that I am going to cheat again and photo-journal my way through it.  But, let me just say, it was absolutely wonderful to reconnect with Becky and Hannah and I was quickly reminded of everything I love about Holy Cross.  This year abroad has been wonderful, and I’m sure will continue to be wonderful, but I cannot wait to be back on the Hill!

They're here they're here they're here!!

On our first day in Rome, we decided to go to mass at St. Peter's. It was complicated... even though it's St. Peter's, it took us a while to find one!

Enjoying some pizza at Piazza Navona. So Italian!

After lunch we walked to the Form, where Becky engaged in my favorite activity: touching old stuff.

And how could we miss the Colosseum?

Reunited and it feels SOOOO good.

After dinner we take a walk by Castel Sant' Angelo and stop to appreciate one of my favorite spots in the city.

Later on in our Rome adventure... we climb the dome of St. Peter's! I've done this twice now and will still do it again. It's worth every cent of the five euro they charge.

And then, of course, we head to the Vatican Museums. Christine and Becky, two of the founding members of Holy Cross's Manuscripts, Inscriptions, and Documents Club, peer wistfully through the locked gates of the hall of inscriptions.

After Rome, we took a train to Naples. Our first stop? Pompeii! We took the wrong train and got off at the wrong stop... but eventually we got there!

Pompeii!

Via Abbeia. This picture could also be captioned as, "My friends are brilliant," or "Holy Cross students are the funniest students."

It was raining a lot, but that did not keep us from having a good time exploring Pompeii!

Most of what we saw in the site were these big Roman atria. This was once a house.

Pompeii was a very sad, scary, and wet experience... but it was also a little bit beautiful.

After Naples, we headed to Capri, hoping for a nice island vacation to end our spring break... but as soon as we got on the ferry it started to pour!

Our first view of Capri!

The view from our hotel. That would be a mountain, but all we could see was cloud. In fact, the whole time we were there it seemed as if the entire island was inside a cloud - it was so wet and cold and foggy! But, just like in Pompeii, we had a great time despite the weather!

Just like the Poet Sandal-maker in Athens, a very similar sandal-maker had set up shop in Capri. We ducked into his shop to take a break from the rain and Becky, Hannah, and Marlee all ended up getting great pairs of handmade leather sandals. The owner of the shop sat and made the sandals right in front of us - Becky even helped!

The sun came out for a few brief minutes - just long enough for us to see the Mediterranean - but it didn't last long. Apparently, on Capri, when it rains, it really, really, really pours! We got sufficiently soaked and then caught a ferry back to Naples. We made it to our train back to Rome, had dinner with a few other Crusaders who were visiting, and then everyone went their separate ways - Christine and I back to the J-Force, Becky and Hannah back to America! I can't believe they were here and are gone already... and I can't wait to see them again in Worcester!

So, we’re halfway through the semester already.

WHAT?!?!?

WHAT.

THIS CANNOT BE TRUE.

But it is.  We’re halfway there.  More than halfway by the time I actually publish this post, really.  I don’t know where the time has gone!  I feel like we just got here!  I haven’t seen the whole city yet!

Now it’s spring break and my friends are here, which has been awesome!  Becky and Hannah flew from Boston to Rome on Saturday and we have been enjoying the sights – and the food – and especially the gelato – ever since.  More adventures to come this week (and gelato EVERY day)… It’s going to be LEGEND (wait for it) (gelato is made with…) DARY.

In other news, we are officially pope-less.  I was so grateful to be able to stand in St. Peter’s Square with many other pilgrims for the last few hours of Benedict’s time as pope.  The square was full of people milling about and praying, some people singing, some even lighting candles.  There was anticipation in the air, as if the entire city was just waiting, holding their breath, wondering if it was real life.  When the bells of the basilica struck eight, the entire square broke out in applause and shouts of “viva il papa!”, in celebration and honor of Benedict.  It was beautiful and sad and scary all at the same time, and I, like many in the crowd, could not help but shed a tear or two.

Piazza di Sant'Pietro. 8:02pm. February 28, 2013.

But, now we’re on to a very exciting time:  the conclave!  The latest news says it is supposed to start early next week, and you can bet I will be camping out to watch the smoke.  Stay tuned!