school's out for the summah

to say the least, it has been a LONG year. with that being said, i have thoroughly enjoyed my stay here at Saint Martin de Porres high school. my students were difficult & disrespectful at times, entertaining & inspirational at other moments. some days were harder to arise from bed than others and some staff members i got along with better than others. as i sit at my desk on this humid friday afternoon in june on the last day of school, i sluggishly retrace my steps starting in early august/september. there were feelings of incompetence, uncertainty, serenity, and jubilation. there was frustration and tears and pain and sacrifice. i s t r e t c h e d myself to the max and i grew in humility & patience. i would never change this year (even if those changes would make the year less stressful), because the people that i have encountered have transformed me in ways that i never thought possible. thank you saint martin's and know that i am forever changed because of you. st. martin de porres pray for all of us.

06.07.08

many of you know i find numbers to be fascinating! today's date is no exception. in fact, i had a conversation with a gentlemen at the local bike shop about this and he informed me that not only will we experience another date like this next year (07.08.09), but for the next several years as well. for a very different reason, today's date is significant and VERY MEANINGFUL--namely its Saint Martin de Porres High School's first ever graduation. 50 seniors will be receiving their diplomas and all 50 have been accepted (and hopefully will be attending) college in the fall. even though it is a sweltering 90 degrees here in cleveland, ohio, there is still a lot of electricity in the air. well, i gotta get ready for the graduation, so i'm signing off. GO WITH GOD, GOD GOES WITH YOU. God bless the Saint Martin de Porres family.

Click here http://www.wkyc.com/video/default.aspx?maven_playerId=immersiveplayer&maven_referralPlaylistId=ac49b0ccd57480aef723c280aca6e201f6f6a5f5&maven_referralObject=766950561

ragging peace

i think this theme of peace has been a common theme of mine throughout each one of my blog entries, but i have been too antsy and rushed to notice it. i finally paid attention to it last evening inside the Grady's home. it is amazing to me how complete strangers nine months ago can become family so quickly and beautifully. not a day goes by that i don't appreciate all that everyone has done for me this year. and that is a good thing.

He is down off that cross...He has risen from that tomb

for some this was just another Sunday. for others, it was anything but. in fact, the most miraculous and glorious mystery was epitomized today as Christians across the globe celebrated their Savior's victory over death and fulfillment of His messianic promise. celebration of Christ's Resurrection is not just reserved to Easter Sunday. it is meant for every day, every moment, every encounter. what I believe we should reflect upon this Easter and every subsequent one is His gift and the price He paid for it. if we're already doing this, well then, keep doing it. it cannot hurt; it can only make us stronger. for if we don't know-and don't desire-what it is that we are striving for (i don't know about you, but i sure as heck want eternal salvation), then what's the point? Resurrection Sunday reminds us of the fact that even if you hold onto a sliver of hope, you hold onto a piece of the promise. oh and if that isn't comforting enough, know that God is on your side offering his hand for you to grab whenever you are ready to do so.

holy mAdNeSs

this is my favorite time of the year. the snow is beginning to melt (except in cleveland) and the birds are migrating north once again. let's not forget the boys of summer are more than half-way through their training. then, of course, there is another field of 64 college basketball teams from all over the country who have earned their right to DANCE. as i pick and choose which #12 seeds will go deep into the tourney and hope and pray that my final four picks will surive the first two rounds, i realize how great (and nerve-racking) it would be to actually coach/play on that stage. i also begin to consider how easily fans of basketball can become religiously glued to the tv set over these next two weeks of march mayhem, and i think to myself that i do not want to be one of them. of course, it would be nice to catch a few of the earlier games over a beer or two with my father/friends, but to miss the holiest week of the year and the greatest miracle that ever was would be truly disgraceful. this is why my family is coming to town and keeping me focused on the important things in life rather than letting my time slip away worrying and focusing on all the wrong things. all in all, i don't want to MISS IT. that IT is what you make of it...happy holy week

leaps and bounds

there are few occurrences that happen every four years (i.e. the Olympic games, the US presidential election, and of course leap year). four many of us the wait is too long; four others we could have benefited from a little extra prep time. either way it is important to recognize that these seemingly-long hiatuses actually work to our favor. four those who were born on February 29th (insert year), this fortuitous event allows you to drink from the fountain of youth (i immediately thought of the movie Jack when i was considering this phenomenon) and to be acknowledged during some ice-breaking games, like two trues and a lie or tell us something interesting about yourself to name two. those who cannot stand the current president (my hand is raised) have four whole years to tally how many poor decisions were made and evaluate the ditch that our country finds itself in. to those who love the olympics and the games are coming to a city near you (Chicago 2016...you'll find me holding an Irish flag downtown), buy your ticket now! in closing this entry and this month of February, it is interesting to note that in the 5th century, St. Bridget proposed to St. Patrick on this date and as a result, it has become tradition that women can only petition their male lovers once every four years. ladies, you have about 30 minutes remaining (and your next chance won't be until 2012!). 

twenty three

there comes a time in every man's life when he looks into the mirror and sees an aging face, weathered hair, a wrinkled forhead, and a scruffy chin. but just when he realizes that his life is speeding up too fast, he then considers all that he has experienced and lived through. take, for example, his twenty third birthday bash at American Flatbread restaurant in downtown Burlington. surrounded by three young ladies (a common theme in this man's life), this old man couldn't be any more content with his party of four. Paris, a seven year old girl who loves to draw, ask difficult questions, and laugh hysterically, accompanied this man's sister and college friend at the dinner table. the four of them spent time breaking "bread," sipping Shirley Temples, and playing games like MASH and poll the audience. everyone laughed, stared, smiled, and thought deeply about how great this night truly was. Even as this old man blew out the candles on his apple pie a la mode, he knew that this birthday was a special one and one that he would remember for quite some time. thank you.