A Day in the Life: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Happy Easter! After 40 days without an Alleluia, the liturgy is now full of them. I love it! It always makes me think of a bottle of soda that's been shaken up so that it explodes all over the place when you open it. It's as though all of the joy of Christ's Resurrection has been bottled up for so long that we simply can't hold it in any longer. Alleluia!

I'm down to the wire and the last four weeks of classes for the semester. My final exams are all in the first week of May, so just one more month and then Smeagol is free! (Yes, I am a shameless LOTR fan.) All things being equal, I will do my best to give you a post every week this month, but I may be swimming in the homework tide. I promise to at least check in and let you know I haven't drowned.

I am closing for now, so this will be a rather short post after such a long absence. However, I have a data analysis report to finish, a term paper to polish up, one router troubleshooting assignment due on Sunday, and about 50 pages of textbook to read before taking an exam for my Anthropology class. Keep me in your prayers, and know that you are always in mine!

A Day in the Life: Out of Control

Trusting in Divine Providence is probably one of the most difficult aspects of the spiritual life. Sometimes, I just want to make things happen according to my schedule and my plans! It is so hard to let go of the worry and "what-ifs" and trust the Lord to care for me and the people that I care about.

College, in many ways, has forced me to realize that I am *not* the one who is in control. I don't make the schedule, plan the lectures, formulate grading criteria, or pick due dates. I'm basically at the mercy of my professor and his or her teaching style. All I can do is put forth my best effort to meet their expectations. I have definitely had to face the reality that there are many unpleasant or difficult things that cannot be sidestepped. Sometimes, you have to look that messy, complex assignment in the eye and tackle it head-on, if you want to pass the class!

I've always been a stubborn person (just ask my Novice Mistress!) However, I hate conflict and tense situations, and given the opportunity to avoid either of those things, I will generally exit stage left. So far, the vow of obedience has prevented me from becoming a college dropout, tempting as it has been at times to throw in the towel (Er, veil?) and call it a wrap.

Truly, I can see the hand of God in that; it's something like when your mom tells you to eat your veggies because they're good for you. Most people don't seem to be overfond of spinach, but we've all had to eat it at one time or another. As they say: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It can be hard to balance everything and I often feel like I'm being pulled in twelve directions. However, I know that, when I'm finished, I will be a stronger and more determined person that I would have been without going to college.

The next couple of weeks are going to be pretty hectic. Midterms are coming up. In fact, I have my first midterm Exam in networking on Feb. 23rd, which also happens to be the night of my first Chorale concert. So, I will have about 30 minutes to get from NKU to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, KY to make call time. (The concert is at 7pm, by the way, if you live in the area.) In general, I'm meeting myself coming and going! Tension is running high, but I know the Lord has everything in control and He's working out the details.

Now back to my homework!

A Day in the Life: Back to School

**Disclaimer: I've never actually blogged before. Not as myself, that is. I've put together news posts for the community, but that was basically anonymous so I don't think it counts as "blogging." So, we're learning together.**

I should probably start by introducing myself. My name is Sr. Cecilia, and I'm a 25-year-old junior professed Sister of St. Joseph the Worker. As a Junior Professed Sister, I am not yet under perpetual vows. I made my first temporary vows on May 1, 2013, and I will renew them annually until I make my final vows, sometime after graduating from college in 2018.

I'm a student at Northern Kentucky University, pursuing a degree in Information Technology with a focus on Network Administration and Security. Ha! I got you there, didn't I? I bet you thought there was no such thing as a geeky Sister. (Actually, I recently found out that the first American woman to earn a PhD in Computer Science was a nun.)