Busy, Busy, Busy

As I sit at work, it is the calm before the storm. We are about to begin a pretty big project, and I thought I'd update my blog, since, you know, I haven't done it in like 40 years. Like Moses.

For your (re: my) reading pleasure, I'd like to reflect on some of the things I've learned since moving to Boston almost two months ago:

1) If you drive in this city, you either have to be an aggressive beast or preparing to die a violent, turbulent death. This death will most likely involve a Toyota Prius Hybrid and/or a train, which is, ironically enough, located IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I am not aggressive enough, nor am I prepared to die so young. Therefore, I drive only as a last-minute resort. This is usually when I no longer have any food in my house.

2) The T (the local public transportation around here), has uses both as an above-ground trolley and a below-ground subway. For the most part, the T is helpful, clean, reliable, and it gets me to wherever I need to go. Occasionally, and by occasionally I mean like three times a week, the T's paying station will somehow stop working, and everyone gets a free ride. I don't know how the MBTA makes any money, because I end up paying for the T about 50% of the time. It's a godsend.

3) This city is actually fabulous. I was homesick for the first two days, but once I got my bearings (and promptly gave up trying to drive), I felt much more at-home. The School of Theology and Ministry is a fantastic community environment. I've made really good friends. I love my classes and my professors. I feel like an adult. I also have a depleted bank account. But you know, I'm doing alright. It's a blessing to be here, and I remind myself of that every day.

4) On the downside, this city is also expensive. I'm spending more money than I've wanted to, but it's hard to avoid. I mean, it's worth it, though. Since being here, I've gone to a few awesome concerts (Sara Bareilles being one of them, and that one was FREE!), I've eaten at some great restaurants (mmmmm, Thai!), I've been to a GIANT move theatre downtown, and just yesterday, I got to meet Bill Bryson at a book signing, who is my all-time favorite author. These are just some of the things that this city has to offer, and I haven't even scratched the surface.

5) Because I'm suffering from an embarrassment of riches, I've been feeling a lot of torn feelings about my own degree program. It seems that I have *too* many options, and I don't know which one I want to settle on. I've been going back and forth for a few weeks about my MA/MSW dual degree program, feeling some doubt especially about the MSW part. I love Theology and I love ministry, and my program currently only has me in the Theology school for one year, and the remaining two years will be at the school of social work. It's not ideal for me, but I think it is something I still want to do. In a perfect world, I would just stay with Theology for the entire degree program, and stay on this fabulous campus with the people I love...but without challenging myself, I'll never grow, and I'll never find out what I'm capable of accomplishing. So, I know that pursuing my dreams also means that I have to go outside of my comfort zone. But really, at this point, I should be used to that shit. I haven't really been "comfortable" in a few years, and every time I took a chance, it ended up being a great opportunity for growth. So, it saddens me that I can only be immersed in this community for one year, but I've accepted it as part of God's plan for my life.

So, I'm happy. I'm so busy! There's a lot of work and I've always got somewhere to be and something to do with my friends here, but I have GREAT friends and I've never felt so blessed as I do right now at this juncture of my life.

I don't know when I'm going to update this again, but rest assured that things are good. Thank God for that.

Peace.