Morning Dates & Sing-alongs

Yesterday morning I had my weekly "date" at 8 am. I hadn't been to Adoration in almost a month because of Christmas and then because of all the visitors I've been having. I missed it. It was just what I needed to start the week off right.

Today I had another morning date, this time with a guy I know. We met at the metro station at 7:30 am and made it to St. Matthew's Cathedral just in time for 8 am Mass. After that, we went to Caribou for coffee and scones.

There's just something about going to Mass with someone. Do you know what I mean? It's the most connecting, uniting feeling in the world. One of my friends likes to say, The family that prays together stays together. I think the friends that pray together have a special something going on too. It was the most perfect way to start the morning. After I said goodbye to him, I was humming happily to myself the whole way to work.

In other incredibly good news, Laura got the job! She starts work on Monday. She hasn't found a place to live yet so she's staying with me this week while she apartment-hunts.  She gets in tonight, and I can't wait to see her!

Last night I went to Theology on Tap in Arlington with my new friend Julianne. Have I told you about Julianne? She came to work in my office right before Christmas. She's only a year older than me, and we share a love for Oxford and literature, among many other things. We hit it off right away. As I often say, having her come to work here is the best thing that's happened to my work life. It's so much fun to have someone to eat lunch with regularly, and with whom to attend happy hours after work. She lives close to me, so sometimes we even commute together. It's pretty much the best.

Anyway, after the event yesterday, we caught a ride home with some guy friends who were also there. One of them put his ipod on, and Julianne and I were very impressed with the selection of music. Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, and even some favorite Disney songs. We started to sing along, and before long the three of us were belting out the lyrics as loud as we could the whole way home. It was awesome.

I think being 22 is the most fun year of my life. Is that fair? It's only been four months. Can I judge it this early on? How about if I say, "Being 22 is the most fun year of my life so far"?

I hope you are having a lovely Tuesday too!

Monday Mornings

This morning started out the way so many Mondays do.

Hit the snooze button at 7 am. Hit it again at 7:15. Finally roll out of bed at 7:25, with a bleary look at the time. Darn it. Only 10 minutes til I have to leave.

Run to the kitchen to make a quick cup of tea - the only thing to keep me awake through the morning hour headed my way. Leave it sitting on the counter to cool while I change into jeans and pull on a hoodie over my t-shirt. No time for make-up. Jesus won't care anyway.

Dash back to the kitchen for my rushed breakfast, a slice of homemade cornbread covered with apple butter. I gulp down the tea and rinse my mug. Stuff my keys, cell phone, Magnificat and Rosary into a bag, and throw in Story of a Soul too, just for good measure.

7:40 and I'm out the door, 5 minutes late. That's ok because it means I'll have to power-walk, which I kind of enjoy. The first few moments out the door are the hardest, when the cold is new and uncomfortable. A few minutes of walking and I feel better. Time to start singing, which I start doing to make myself feel better about being up so early. I hum quietly to myself when people pass me on the sidewalk, but when I'm alone, I let forth a loud and merry tune unabashed. It works; before long I'm smiling and enjoying the walk.

Straight up Quincy Street, past the high school and over the highway. Left on 17th. I say good morning to my favorite sight of the walk, a cute little picket fence with trees and flowers spilling over it in wild abandon. It's so quaint and the little gate is always open. I daydream about walking in some time to what must surely be a magical wonderland garden.

Nearing the church, I'm delighted to see I'm 2 minutes early, thanks to my power walking. That means I have time to stop and give some love to the pink roses by the sidewalk. They smell divine.

I go in the back door and sign my name on the Adoration sheet. "Time in: 8 am." I'm so proud that I can write this honestly this week. Last week it was definitely 8:05... whoops.

Then the best hour of my week - sitting face to face with the love of my life. Is that cheesy? That's too bad, because it's true. We have a lot to catch up on and I end up not using the Rosary or opening Story of a Soul, although I do make copious use of my Magnificat.

I'm the only adorer signed up for the 8-9 am shift but I'm actually only alone in the chapel for a few minutes. Most of the time, older parishioners are coming in and out, pausing here to pray for a while. It's a nice convivial feeling, having them there. Happily I only get drowsy once, unlike my first time here, when I fell asleep for several minutes. I'm so glad I drank that tea this morning.

When my phone tells me it's 9 am, I leave, pausing on my way out to say good day to the roses again. Back down Quincy. More singing and happy humming. Getting up early is actually kind of fun, I reflect. At home, I take a quick shower and pack myself a lunch. Then take the train to work.

And that is my Monday morning.