In the beginning I hated it.

I hated the drive and sitting in class. I hated the stress of writing papers and studying for tests. I didn’t like searching for a parking spot. I didn’t want to listen to people talk about how drunk they or someone else had gotten last night. I was miserable with this sudden shift in my life from my own relaxed pace of learning to an environment ruled by the syllabus. I was afraid that I would be behind academically, that I would fail and disappoint everyone.

In the end I liked it.

... you have stacks of well read educational magazines in the bathroom.

... you use words like flamboyant and mirage.

... for gym class you have mock battle with swords made from camping foam pads and duct tape.

... you can spend an entire weekday in your pajamas with no problem.

... you just cannot grasp the vast appeal of the prom.

... math for the day is doubling the recipe for chocolate chip cookies, and then baking them.

... you come out of the library with you card maxed out and you arms breaking under a towering pile of books.

1. You get to go to the library during the day when the other kids are in school and get all the new books first.

2. You never have to attempt to eat those hideous cafeteria lunches, instead you can make Mexican burritos or Italian pasta or Japanese seaweed rolls.

3. Reading magazines counts as current events.

4. You can stay in your pajamas all day long.

5. Where else can you watch “The Crocodile Hunter” and count it as science?

6. You can sleep in on weekdays and its not even summer.

“Flavia! You’ll catch your death of a cold out here without your coat!” It was Brian’s voice, imitating Mother’s.
Flavia, ignoring his remark, turned and gave him a sweet smile. “Wouldn’t it be lovely Brian, if—”
“Yes. Yes, I suppose it would be; not to have you worrying everyone all the time, throwing such awful fits, stirring up the little boys, bothering Cynthia, making—”
“Brian Joseph!” Flavia stamped her foot furiously. “I ought to beat you up for that!”
He smiled his extremely annoying smile. “I don’t advise it.”

I am hidden from the world.

I am in my little corner, with my head between my knees. I am in a small dark place. I am behind a thick wall made of steel and brick and glass. I am in a little bubble, my own private oasis. I am safe from pain and fear and suffering. I am safe from the extremity of human emotions. I am safe. My wall is impenetrable.

Cela Celanor.
Ala nor, gal Andril Nor.
Gil cela, faar en gole.
Dri cela a gothe en gol.

Translation:
Lord Celanor.
Child king, valiant Elven King.
One lord, fair and mighty.
Elf lord of power and might.

Yet another in-class writing assignment for history. This piece also needs some editing, which I will try to do in the next few weeks

Community in the Rule of St. Benedict

This is an essay I wrote for my college history class this past semester. It was an in-class
writing assignment, so please bear in mind that it needs some final polishing and editing, and also that some of the quotations may be incorrect. I am planning on working on it after finals!!

Friendship and St. Augustine

“As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man.”

~Proverbs 21:17

Delicate frozen lace
Preserved for a moment
In crystalline beauty.

Dripping silver ice
A glorious haven
Of white branches

A silver filigree
Of sweet white
Softly falling snow.

A picture, a reflection
Of a gentle forsaken dream.