My wonderful Lasallian teachers

One thing that I definitely know is an important component to Lasallian-ness is education. Yes, it can be argued that education is important to any kind of educational institution, but I feel like it has a special focus at Saint Mary's. I'm finding myself less and less surprised by how many education majors there are at SMU, and I find that it makes perfect sense that so many people end up getting an MA in Instruction. There's something special about the way our professors teach, and I think it's going to impact the way their students teach.

I've always been touched by how much my professors seem to care about me as a person, but their dedication to their students as actual people was most apparent to me these last couple weeks between breaks. I found myself stressed out and overwhelmed, sick and exhausted, and completely distracted by outside factors in my life, and my professors were incredibly understanding. I found it easier than I expected to talk to them about these factors that were keeping me from remaining focused on my work, and I was surprised at how sincerely concerned they were while helping me get things straightened out. I've always considered myself a pretty put-together student, so I had never before had to deal with this kind of obstacle, and it was very reassuring to have the help and understanding of my professors.

I hope when I am a teacher (yes, I am one of those who decided to get an MA in Instruction) I remember to care about each student as much as my teachers and professors have cared about me. I'm sure it will be on my mind after the impact SMU has had on me. In just three years, Saint Mary's has adjusted the way I think in a very positive way that I'm sure will help me immensely as a teacher.

Hope for Haiti

The Hope for Haiti carnival went very smoothly last night. All the clubs showed up (or let me know in advance that they couldn't make it). Everyone was on time, and everyone was really helpful with setup. Eveyone tried everyone else's activities and seemed to have fun. I'm so glad it went well! We had students and a couple professors with their kids. Michelet was great in talking to us about Haiti and answering everyone's questions, and everyone was really respectful while he spoke. It was so great to see how supportive everyone was of both the cause and of our classmate. I'm definitely proud to be part of such a caring student body.

We're all grown up now; there's nothing stopping us from changing the world.

Graduation is less than three months away, and I still haven't quite pinpointed what it means to be Lasallian.

I have a general understanding, but I still have trouble explaining the idea in words. Therefore, I do not know it all that well.

I know that community is an important component, and I have definitely found community at Saint Mary's. Each club/organization I am involved in is its own little community, and we're all a part of the greater community, which is especially evident when these clubs work together. I'm very excited that other clubs are so happy to participate in the Hope for Haiti carnival this Thursday. I hope we have a good turnout. It's so important to me that we have a fundraiser for Haiti that really brings the students together. I think it's important for us students to realize we can step up and make a difference. We're all grown up now; there's nothing stopping us from changing the world.

Community within the classroom is important too. I love how collaborative class discussions are. We all help each other understand concepts and think through ideas. The professors are so willing to help too. I can talk to many of my professors as if they were my friends, and I know they actually care about my life and what I'm going to do when I leave here in May.

I know service is a key component. As a volunteer mentor, I better know that for sure. I never realized how much of an impact volunteering makes not only on those you help, but on yourself. I have not been the same since I first volunteered with flood relief or since my freshman year Thanksgiving trip to Biloxi, Mississippi to help with Hurricane Katrina relief. Every single time I volunteer now, whether I'm sheetrocking, stocking the food shelf, or washing lockers, I feel so renewed. Each trip is a brand new experience. I constantly meet new people and learn more about the world... even within the limits of little old Winona. I don't think I've ever heard a SMU volunteer complain, and I've worked with some less-than-ideal volunteer opportunities. Even if it's cold and rainy or I'm sore and tired, I always walk away happy and grateful, and I can see in their faces that the other SMU volunteers do too. It's a great way to find a place in the world and a great way to see God's love (and how we can share that love with others). Service is definitely important to the Lasallian mission of the university.

Faith is almost too obvious. It's not just sitting and praying though. It's living in faith. Part of this comes with the love of a community or with service, but I feel like it's much bigger than that. This is one of those things I haven't quite grasped yet, but I feel closer than ever.

Living Lasallian is obviously a big deal. The entire mission of the university is centered around it, and it is constantly mentioned. I will figure it out - at least the significance of it in my life. I may not get it all before I graduate, but I guess that will just help me carry it on long after.

TEC

I've always loved TEC retreats at SMU, but this year's was especially amazing. I loved leading the retreat and getting to meet so many great new people. The TECites were about as good as you could ask for, and the team was cooperative and energetic.

TEC is definitely going to be one of the things I miss most when I graduate.

I got a chance to talk to three freshmen who have worked other TECs before, and it made me realize how special TEC is at Saint Mary's University. It has such a great Lasallian element to it. The whole retreat is still centered around the Paschal Mystery, but it's also very focused on community and being there to serve one another. Being a part of the TEC community is like being a part of the SMU community as a whole, but on an even more intimate scale.

I still can't believe this was my last TEC retreat. :(

It's the little things...

Yesterday I saw a student on crutches stop to open the door for a student carrying an armful of food.

Today I had the best volunteering experience, and we were just raking leaves. The woman we were helping was so sweet and worked with us. She said she had tried to contact Winona State first, but nobody ever got back to her. Meanwhile, I called her back the same day she called us and had a whole group of students the next day. If that doesn't show those good SMU lasallian values at work, I don't know what does.

I love it here :)

October break

I am finally going on a S.O.U.L. trip! It's nice that they offer smaller ones over October break in addition to the February break trips.

I didn't realize this trip would involve actually camping out in tents until yesterday, so I'mnot as excited as I could be. I'm trying to keep an open mind though. It's a brand new service experience for me; it will even be significantly different from the Biloxi trip freshman year. I'll also have a great chance to meet some new people and hang out with some pretty cool people I already know.

I am a little upset that I'm not relaxing over break, especially since next weekend is an editing weekend and I'm already feeling very overwhelmed. Again though, I'm trying to keep an open mind. I'm sure it will be a fun experience, and I'm positive it will be a unique opportunity that I will be happy with taking advantage of. I won't be able to do something quite like this after May. This is a chance to get away from classes, meetings, technology, and my usual group of friends in order to learn more about the world around me and learn more about the environment.

I think that as long as I don't feel too cold (it's supposed to be pretty bad this weekend), I should be fine.

On a separate note, I've realized that I am still not comfortable giving my opinion of what it means to be Lasallian. I know that I have an answer, but I don't feel confident enough giving that answer on the spot... especially with a group of people listening to my answer. I also learned that I don't appreciate being made to feel inferior for not giving an answer. I took on this mission of sorts for senior year with the idea that I can take my time and really take it all in. It is a personal desire of mine to gain as deep an understanding as possible of the Lasallian mission so that I can continue to incorporate it into my life after graduation. It's easy enough to do here at Saint Mary's, where Lasallian activities and services are planned for me. The real challenge is to be able to take it with me to use on my own once I leave SMU.

I have a feeling this S.O.U.L. trip is going to help with that understanding...

Discernment

Today was the third meeting of the discernment group, and I realized I have not yet blogged about discerning.

At the first meeting, we talked about what discernment is and thought about what we want to get out of the group. I decided it will be an opportunity to talk about my options without feeling any added pressure, and it would give me specific time to think about life after graduation (not that I don't think about it enough already).

At the second meeting, we further explored what discernment is and all the different aspects of discernment.

Tonight we thought about our lives. We had 20 minutes to map out timelines of our lives. I learned that my whole life seems to revolve in some way around school. I think about time in terms of what grade I was in. My biggest events include starting preschool, kindergarten, high school and college; graduating middle school and high school; playing school sports and any big moments involved in that); going to state in speech; going to Biloxi; deciding to graduate early; and joining all of the activities I am currently involved in. I actually had to go back and fill in other things I had forgotten about. My life revolves around school, and after May 8th I won't be a student anymore. Naturally, this makes me a little nervous.

On the other hand, it makes me really excited. In just over seven months, I'll be a part of the "real world" and will have no choice but to experience really meaningful things. I'll have new opportunities and new "big" moments.

I'm almost relieved I haven't figured out my plans for the future yet. How can I determine what I want to do with my life after school when everything I do is somehow rooted in school?

I'm really starting to think more about my faith, how I can serve God when I am no longer just handed opportunities to do so, social justice, and what's really going to be important in my life. I'm more convinced than ever that I want to volunteer for a year or two after graduation. I love the idea of fully dedicating myself to service for a while and keeping that a priority in my life. I like that it would give me time to re-evaluate my life against standards other than the school-based ones I've always used.

I'm ready for the focus of my life to be on something other than materialism, success, and pride.