Breweries

    After living in St. Louis for four years one would think I might have had enough of "all things beer" for a while. However, living only a few miles from the Anheuser-Busch brewery has made me appreciate "all things beer" that much more. I will be honest though, it hasn't been until this year that I have really come to "like" the taste of beer and I have been gravitating more towards the dark porters than your average light beer. 

    I went on the full brewery tour, which took over an hour and involved a shuttle ride, in St. Louis at least 4 times. I found it fascinating! One of my favorite parts was the "beech wood aging process" because we went into a ridiculously cold room out of the summer heat. See I listened! Here are a few photos of when my family came to visit me for Easter of 2012 and we went on the tour.

Proud parents.

Lime-A-Rita's started here!

    This year, one of the questions that I ask myself quite frequently is, "what is there to do that is fun and is it cheap/free?" An answer that fits both of those criteria is often a brewery! There is a cute little (and I mean little!) local brewery here in Syracuse that some of my community members and I went to a few weeks back. It is called Middle Ages brewery and it consists of one giant room, one medium sized room, and a tasting room. That's it. They have a great reputation here in Syracuse and locals are quite proud of it. Since I have been taking a fancy to porters recently I like their "Duke" beer. Yum!

Giant room at Middle Ages.

Beer tanks. Although it might also be oatmeal...

Lovely ladies. And a new friend we met in the background.

Middle Ages, get it!?

All the ladies went, Paige took the photo.
Left to right: Elizabeth, Knight, Jacqueline, me, Katrina.

    As if I haven't talked about beer enough already, (sorry to folks who find this topic uninteresting) when my community went to Boston for St. Patrick's Day we also went to the Sam Adams brewery. It is larger than Middle Ages but much smaller than Anheuser-Busch. It was not their biggest producing brewery but I think they said it was their oldest facility. Sam Adams fit both criteria for activities "fun and free" so we enjoyed the sunshine that afternoon, had some samples, and went to the infamous Doyle's bar afterwards with some other East coast JVs.

We're all legal.

Katrina, Jacqueline, Lauren (Boston JV), and Evan (Portland JV).

Infamous I tell you!

Retreats

   Recently I had the opportunity to attend two (very) different retreats and wanted to share some of my experiences with you.

    Through a nomination, I was invited to attend a retreat that took place the first weekend in August near Chicago, IL. The retreat was called "Leaders in Discernment" and put on by the Forum for Theological Exploration. It was hosted at the Loyola University of Chicago's retreat center in Woodstock, IL. Over 70 individuals were invited to participate and I knew two people; other JVs from the East region. Other than knowing when I needed to be at the airport and that my travel costs were covered I really had no idea what I was getting myself into but I figured it would be a fun experience and I was in a go-with-the-flow mood.

    When the retreat was over the best way I could describe it was that it was a space that brought people together to discuss with one another, ask questions, talk about faith and learn from one another. Of the 70+ people that attended (ages ranging from 18-30) about 7 people were Catholic. I believe that almost every other Christian denomination was represented and most young people there were in or had been in an intentional community with a service related mission. It was so wonderful to be with passionate young people who wanted to learn more about their own faith and different faith traditions. There were some talks given by facilitators, two moments of small group time, four sessions to explore new forms of prayer, a super fantastic open mic night [sooooo much talent in one space!!!], and workshops to attend. The days were busy and long but so very energizing and fulfilling. I met a few people the first day and the five of us gravitated towards one another at meal times and free time because we were having such engaging and though-provoking conversations. (Quote: What is up with the Incarnation? Why is it so terrifying and incredible at the same time?)

    The grounds of the retreat center were lovely and I enjoyed the sunshine immensely. (Side note: the weekend I was away in Chicago I got a sunburn while back in Syracuse it snowed!) A few of us managed to create a bonfire on Saturday night and enjoyed stargazing and chatting until late in the evening. I had a wonderful time on my weekend away, a true retreat, although I was anxious to return to Syracuse and tell my community all about it!

    At the beginning of May, I went on the Spring/Silent retreat sponsored by JVC. About half of the communities in the East region attended the retreat with me at the Campion Renewal Center in Weston, MA (the other half went to a different retreat center the next weekend). We were technically silent from Friday night until Monday morning...at least most people were. I had been on another silent retreat my senior year of college and was actually looking forward to the time for stillness, reflection, and rest. A silent retreat isn't a form of Catholic punishment, rather an opportunity for reflection and renewal. The first day of silence was really good for me; I was able to sleep, read, walk, sleep again, etc. I was actually recovering from being sick so a "quiet day" was just what I needed. We went to mass that evening and it was so wonderful to be in silence yet feel so connected to everyone at the same time.

    The second day was actually rough for me in terms of being silent. I walked around, took another nap, took pictures, and was then b.o.r.e.d.! At that point I technically cheated, I sought out my community members and we chatted quietly together. I don't feel as though my cheat was bad though, rather the silence/stillness was encouraging and brought me to the realization of just how much I treasure my community and want to continue to get to know them with the time we have left together. So we talked (bonded over not being silent while on a silent retreat) and it was great, a prayer really.

    I am grateful for both retreats that I have been on recently. I enjoy the freedom to "just be", not thinking or planning, or making sure to be in touch with people. Everyone should retreat every once in a while.

Oh hey St. Ignatius!

Easter 2014

    Is it too late? Nah!

    Easter is my favorite holiday, always has been. I (of course) love Christmas but there is something about Easter that makes my heart sing. I think it is the weather, the spring time sunshine (or peaceful rain) that welcomes the risen Christ and brings families together.

    This Easter I was in Syracuse with some of my community members. The Wednesday before Easter I was scheduled to lead our "Community night". (If I haven't already mentioned this before, JVC asks communities to have both a "Spirituality" and "Community" night once a week. One person leads an activity/reflection/or plans an event for us to attend. Get it?) So I was leading that Wednesday and I decided to have an Easter egg hunt. I filled 36 little eggs with candy and 6 big eggs, each one with an individual's name. Since there were so few eggs and 6 people would be looking I had to hide them very strategically. At the end of the hunt there were still 7 little eggs and one big egg hidden. The one big egg has still yet to be found although I did "find" the others so that no candy was wasted hidden away.

Paul and Brendan searching for eggs.

Elizabeth finally found one!

Jacqueline, Liz, and Katrina searching diligently.

    So on Thursday the Easter Triduum began. We had just visited a different church in Syracuse for Palm Sunday and really enjoyed the mass so we decided to attend the Triduum services there as well. I am so glad we did. I cannot remember a more joyful and celebratory Easter Triduum even when I was surrounded by fellow students on SLU's campus. The Last Supper on Thursday was reenacted by the priest and 2nd graders (soon to receive their first communion). He washed their little feet and gathered them around the alter as if he were actually sharing a meal with them like Jesus had. So lovely.

     On Good Friday, the 9th grade confirmation candidates reenacted the stations of the cross. (The great thing about this parish is the diversity and celebration of many cultures and persons.) A Congolese young man played the role of Jesus and, forgive my shortcomings, sparked a new idea of who the man Jesus might have been. This was the only Good Friday service I have been to that was joyful; we sang gospel songs and left with a feeling of hope and anticipation.

    We welcomed Liz's sister and brother-in-law to celebrate Easter with us. They arrived on Saturday and then attended mass with us on Sunday morning. The mass was fantastic! One of the best homilies I had heard in a while, very real and soooo celebratory! The Gospel choir was so fun and engaging! We took some quick pics in our Easter outfits before changing into more appropriate clothing to cook in. We whipped up a huge Easter brunch and enjoyed a sunshiny day with one another. This Easter fully embodied why Easter is my favorite holiday. My JVC community truly has become family.

Katrina, Paul, Elizabeth and me on Easter.

Delicious Easter brunch! Elizabeth's sister and brother-in-law joined us.

Easter goodies!

Seasons

Winter was rough, really rough!

  

  I knew to expect snow when I decided to move to Syracuse this year and for snow, I was ready. Very prepared actually. I know how to layer, wear certain shoes outside while taking another pair for inside. I have many blankets on my bed and a heating pad which served as a blanket warmer. I had two pair of gloves, two scarves, ear muffs, a warm hat with ear flaps even. And much enthusiasm. Yes enthusiasm!

Warm hat, gloves, scarf, and coat? Check!

Thank you Julie for the beautiful blanket!

   I knew I was moving to one of the country's snowiest places so I was ready to embrace it. I found the beauty in it, I enjoyed the activities...ice skating, winter lights, building snow people, photographing it, etc. but then it became too much. Not the snow, just winter. It dragged on and on and on!

    I was so sick of wearing two or more of every article of clothing. Seriously, some days I had two pairs of socks on, two pairs of pants, four shirts, and a blanket (even sitting at my desk at work I had a blanket on). I am not the first one to say this but wow this winter was COLD! Syracuse was "blessed" with the experience of at least two polar vortexes and yes I was taking the city bus to and from work, walking in -10 degrees (-20 degree wind chill). The snow wasn't the problem, the cold and clouds seriously (negatively) affected the mindset of even the most-proud-snow-loving-born-and-bred Syracuse residents. And it hit me hard too. I tried to stay positive for so long and embrace the winter. I kept telling myself that I am only here for one year so I should enjoy it, cherish it for the memories it is creating. But by the beginning/middle of April I was over it. And now apparently, so is Mother Nature!

Tulips in our front yard!

   Spring has arrived!!! I am so very very thankful. In the true spirit of Easter, new life has begun all over the city. Families are sitting on their porches and children are playing (loudly I might add) until late into the evening; it is difficult to fall asleep when daylight has just ended. Grills are filling the air with the scents of hamburgers and fresh veggies. Even the rain and thunderstorms (a big one a few nights ago!) are welcomed as signs of spring and the official end of winter. Oh, and the already multiple trips to Gannon's Ice Cream have definitely helped me ascend out of the winter slump and put the spring into my step.

 It's definitely almost summer! 86 degrees yesterday! Happy sunshine folks!!!!!