Our Hearts Are Restless

I have had very little time to post during these last couple weeks.  Here at Christendom, we don't have internet access in the dorms.  If I want to use the net that involves going to the library, gym or student center.  On top of that, my computer doesn't exactly take kindly to the library modem, which is the closest access from my dorm.  Enough excuses! A friend gave my a number of pictures from this first part of the semester, so I thought I would try to do a bit of a "scrapbook page" post.  Back to the beginning, at orientation, here is a picture of the farm where we had a barn dance.  This is only a little glimpse of the beauty of the mountains here in Virginia.  This is a bit of the lovely scenery I have around me.  Nature!  Yay!  Some of my friends are in charge of the Contra Dance club here at Christendom.  Contra is a Latin word meaning against or opposite; the dances are done with two lines of people, men on one side and women on the other.  If you've eve...

Say some prayers for me!  I am starting my career on my college newspaper this weekend!  I have a 600-800 word article for the Rambler due on Monday, September 19.  I'm begging for St. Michael's intercession for me (it is his feast day on Monday) as I battle writer's block.   Correction: I stupidly forgot to check the calendar...St. Michael is September 29.  Tomorrow is the feast of St. Januarius!  Also a very cool saint.   The article is a profile piece, basically an introduction to the readers of the Rambler of two new employees here on campus.  I'll post my article as soon as it's completely written, but right now I need to lock myself in the library for about three hours.  Luckily all my other homework for the weekend is mostly done, so I can focus on this for now. The weather here has been fluctuating between sunny, clear days just warm enough to negate the need for a sweater, and chilly, damp days when we only want to curl up in a fuzzy blanket with hot chocol...

I just realized the other day that it is now September.  Wait, I thought yesterday it was March still?  At any rate, it is high time to post another poem. In honor of today's anniversary I thought it would be appropriate to post something from an American poet.  This is no obscure piece, but it serves to remind us of our heritage as Americans. The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.  From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame, "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips.  "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift...

[caption id="attachment_25" align="aligncenter" width="373" caption="The stage - yours truly in the center with my roommates.  The Student Activities Council did a lovely job with the set-up in St. Lawrence Commons, where the dance was held.  According to the upper-classmen, though, this is minimal for the SAC. They outdo themselves at the later dances...can't wait to see!"] [/caption] It's a little late to be posting this, but we had our first dance of the season two weeks ago.  Here are pictures of the Luau!  I had loads of fun - it was so nice to have a night just for relaxing and enjoyment.  A couple of friends and I prettied ourselves for the dance an hour and a half before.  We went through our wardrobes and helped each other pick outfits, including sharing clothes and jewelry so we all had something new, just for fun.  One friend does great hair and makeup, so we even did makeovers. I've discovered that dances here aren't j...