Something that I wasn’t quite expecting to happen here has to do with my faith. 

I was born Catholic and of course my faith has always been important to me, but this period in my life I’ve found myself practicing it more frequently and with a deeper meaning.

About a week or two leading up to leaving for Europe, I began praying the rosary daily. This was partially because of the uncertainty of the (now lost) teaching position in Milan. I needed all the support I could get. I just continued after that because I found that it made me feel good. It felt like meditating. I mean it was meditating of course, but I guess I’ve just never looked at the rosary that way. Going to catholic school as a kid, I was kinda forced to pray the rosary so I was a little indifferent towards it. But now I love it. It allows me time and thought to put everything into perspective. Not only that, but it’s nice to have someone to talk to. The only times in my life that I’ve REALLY talked to God were desperate times of need. Granted, that’s the reason I started now, but as I continue talking to Him on a regular basis, I find it’s really nice.

I’m reminded of my freshman year of college when I was living in Austin. It was a very difficult time in my life and I began doing the same thing I’m doing now. I didn’t pray the rosary, but I got more involved with my faith. It made me come to realize why I’m doing it now. I’m searching for guidance. Right now is a new, exciting, possibly life-changing chapter in my life. As independent as I think I may be, I need someone to help guide me. Sometimes I don’t know what the hell I’m doing here. Everything is up in the air. But I feel like when I pray and I talk to God, everything finds its place and works out.