Something I have never truly experienced in my 19 years of life is what it feels like to worry about money. I've always been fortunate enough to have plenty of warm clothes to wear, good food to eat, medicine when I'm sick, and a roof over my head. Not to mention the countless other luxuries and opportunities that I have been given. My parents have always set a good example of what it's like to work hard, but they've never let us kids see how truly hard they must work to provide us with everything we take for granted. I have had the benefit of attending private school my entire life (including college), was provided with a car to drive when I turned 16, and have taken many vacations with both family and friends. Until now, these were all things that I believed were part of any normal childhood. However, my experiences in Chicago have taught me that this is far from the truth. Meeting new people from all around the country and from all different backgrounds has made me more aware of how truly fortunate I am.
Every summer for the past four years, I have had the opportunity to participate in a mission trip through St. Mary's. We have traveled to Michigan, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina repairing and rebuilding homes for people trapped in poverty. While these trips have always given me a new perspective on life, the effect is usually short-lived.
It wasn't until moving to Chicago and seeing the incredible homeless population that I realized all the blessings I've been given. Hardly a day goes by that I don't walk to the El and get asked for money, and after awhile it assumes a sort of normalcy. But sometimes, like on a particularly cold day like today, I remember that not everybody gets to return to their nice warm dorm room after attending classes which are helping to further their education.
Heck, only 1% of THE WORLD even goes to college. In a place like the good ol' US of A, the thought that a high school graduate wouldn't continue onto college is considered almost ludicrous. What we don't realize, however, is that we are the minority. To me, that is one minority that I consider myself blessed to be a part of, and I am doing my best to appreciate it everyday.
So, on that note, I'm going to go finish the homework that I am fortunate to have.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Year in Review: A Visual Guide
Spring Break in Ireland
CDH Graduation
Kayaking in the Apostle Islands
.JPG)
Workcamp in Lexington, NC
Last days of summer at the Schneeman's cabin
Last dinner with the IE's
First weekend at Loyola
The Year in Review
2010. The beginning of a new decade, and the ending of an old one. Rather than reflect back on the entire decade (which would result in a short novel considering it would encompass more than half of my life), I'll focus instead on the previous year.
2009 was a year full of change, and probably the most eventful of my life. I continued working at my first REAL job at Presbyterian Homes, and loved almost every minute of it. I traveled to Ireland for my senior year spring break and had an amazing time doing it. I said goodbye to high school when I graduated from CDH in May. I began my summer by camping and kayaking on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands (which was easily the highlight of my summer). I went on my fourth mission trip, this time to Lexington, NC. I spent lots of time on the water, taking advantage of many of our Minnesota lakes and rivers, including Leech, Gull, and Lower Bottle Lake and the St. Croix River. I did my best to enjoy my last lazy days of summer before starting on a new adventure in Chicago.
I bid a temporary farewell to old friends, and welcomed the excitement of new friends to come. I experienced what it's like to live on my own and fend for myself. I explored a new city and broadened my horizons. I befriended public transportation and remembered what it feels like to be without a car. I grew a deeper appreciation for my family, friends, and life back home in Minnesota, but still enjoyed my new life in Chicago. I started my last year of being a teenager when I celebrated my nineteenth birthday, and I have never felt so old. I made it through my first semester of college, and managed to pass all my classes. I think I might have even learned something along the way.
The tables turned when I had to say temporary goodbyes to my new friends, who had quickly become more like family, and step back into my old life. My family enjoyed some much needed relaxation and family together time when we traveled to south Florida for Christmas and New Year's, and I even managed to read some books for fun. When we returned to Minnesota, we were welcomed by subzero temperatures and snow covered landscapes. I spent the remainder of my break enjoying the outdoors, sledding, skiing, and even ice skating. I became a sort of jack of all trades, employing any skills I had to make a few bucks. I painted, cleaned, chauffeured, and babysat (for some of the cutest kids I know) my way through my final weeks at home. Through all of that, I have gained a deeper appreciation for both the elderly and little kids alike.
While I do look forward to being back in Chicago, and with my friends who are practically family, I am still going to miss being home. There's just nothing like being able to eat a home cooked meal with the people I love most in this world, in the place where I grew up. It's a comfort that cannot be found anywhere else.
"Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to"
-John Ed Pearce
Looking forward to what the new year will bring,
All my love,
Kate
2009 was a year full of change, and probably the most eventful of my life. I continued working at my first REAL job at Presbyterian Homes, and loved almost every minute of it. I traveled to Ireland for my senior year spring break and had an amazing time doing it. I said goodbye to high school when I graduated from CDH in May. I began my summer by camping and kayaking on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands (which was easily the highlight of my summer). I went on my fourth mission trip, this time to Lexington, NC. I spent lots of time on the water, taking advantage of many of our Minnesota lakes and rivers, including Leech, Gull, and Lower Bottle Lake and the St. Croix River. I did my best to enjoy my last lazy days of summer before starting on a new adventure in Chicago.
I bid a temporary farewell to old friends, and welcomed the excitement of new friends to come. I experienced what it's like to live on my own and fend for myself. I explored a new city and broadened my horizons. I befriended public transportation and remembered what it feels like to be without a car. I grew a deeper appreciation for my family, friends, and life back home in Minnesota, but still enjoyed my new life in Chicago. I started my last year of being a teenager when I celebrated my nineteenth birthday, and I have never felt so old. I made it through my first semester of college, and managed to pass all my classes. I think I might have even learned something along the way.
The tables turned when I had to say temporary goodbyes to my new friends, who had quickly become more like family, and step back into my old life. My family enjoyed some much needed relaxation and family together time when we traveled to south Florida for Christmas and New Year's, and I even managed to read some books for fun. When we returned to Minnesota, we were welcomed by subzero temperatures and snow covered landscapes. I spent the remainder of my break enjoying the outdoors, sledding, skiing, and even ice skating. I became a sort of jack of all trades, employing any skills I had to make a few bucks. I painted, cleaned, chauffeured, and babysat (for some of the cutest kids I know) my way through my final weeks at home. Through all of that, I have gained a deeper appreciation for both the elderly and little kids alike.
While I do look forward to being back in Chicago, and with my friends who are practically family, I am still going to miss being home. There's just nothing like being able to eat a home cooked meal with the people I love most in this world, in the place where I grew up. It's a comfort that cannot be found anywhere else.
"Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to"
-John Ed Pearce
Looking forward to what the new year will bring,
All my love,
Kate
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
