Category Archives: English (BA)

Because We’re Insane!

  By Melissa | July 5, 2012 - 3:17 pm |
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This month, I am embarking on a journey I have avoided my entire time here at Nyack. I am an RA. Not to say that is an unwanted position, but I have always felt deeply unqualified. How could I possibly relate to girls with a completely different walk in life than mine? I provide that information, not as a precursor to explain how my experience as an RA has been thus far, but to say that because I am an RA, and not currently enrolled in school, I have a lot of time on my hands during the day (I will, however, explain my experience as an RA at a later date).

Because I have so much time on my hands, I have been exercising a lot. I have always enjoyed being active but I am more of a seasonal “activist.” Its amazing how great working out can make you feel, but when you try to continue the next day, you forget about how great you felt the day before and focus more on the hard work you’re about to endure. That is why most people don’t continue. And trust me, I am guilty of having that mentality.

But that has all changed. I have been a fitness freak for the past three weeks now that I am free during the days this summer. Thankfully, I’ve picked up some fitness friends on the way. Three of my friends and I have begun to do “Insanity.” A fitness craze similar to P90x but is only 60 days. It is INTENSE. I have never been so physically pushed before! The only thing that has helped me continue is the presence of my friends. It has gotten to the point that if we don’t work out, we feel incomplete. Yes, it is that serious.

I’m already relatively thin, but my biggest thing is that I want to tone and be strong. After one week of insanity, I am actually feeling and seeing results. I feel stronger and so much better about myself. It is amazing. I still feel insane every time that work out video begins. I yell at the instructor, Shaun T., and wave my fist in violent anger as we endure even the grueling warmups, but I feel fantastic afterwards. My hope is that being active becomes a part of my lifestyle. That was my “new years resolution,” actually. I am just a little late in execution.

To those of you interested in changing your lives, your body, and those of you that need an attitude change about life, I suggest insanity.

Even the suggestion is insane, right?

:)

The Best View of NYC?

  By Melissa | June 29, 2012 - 10:16 am |
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This week, I was able to do something for the first time. If you read along with my summer last year, you would have noticed that my goal for the summer time is to do one thing (new or just enjoyable) that makes my summer memorable.

A couple weeks ago, a co-worker of mine mentioned that last summer she took a boat ride around the city for just $15 and that on the opening week of this boat ride, the cost is $5. If anyone knows me, they know I take advantage of things like this. I nodded my head and said, “Perhaps I’ll check this out.”

I contacted my girlfriends in the city that I haven’t seen for a while now since I’ve been living back at Nyack, and we got a group together to go. The boat ride was said to begin at 8am and return at 11pm sharp. Two of us got there before 7:45pm… My other two friends (whom are actually sisters) arrived JUST in the nick of time, As a matter of fact, I did not expect them to make it, since I almost didn’t.

As I stood on line, waiting to get in and meet with my first friend that arrived, the security stopped at me and said no one else would be able to get on the boat. My eyes widened and I quickly grabbed my phone to call Jamila off the boat. As Jamila made her way off the boat, the bouncer quickly changed his mind and let some more of us get on. Not without first stopping me for ID. Since, apparently, I was the youngest looking person there. I suspected that since the line almost stopped at me, that the other girls wouldn’t be able to get on, but much to their fortune, they did.

hudson river view

The view was beautiful. I saw the statue of Liberty, the skyline of the Empire State Building and New York’s new Freedom Tower that stands where the Twin Towers used to stand. With that, I experienced the sunset and the bright city sky and the night reached its darkest hour for the boat ride. I must admit, the crowd and music was not entirely of my preference, but I am a strong believer of making the best out of your circumstances. I stood on a boat on the Hudson with the city at it’s most beautiful view. I couldn’t beat that.

best nyc skyline

News Flash! Labyrinths Aren’t Mazes!

  By Melissa | May 24, 2012 - 11:47 am |
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Last week, I went to a conference with my job in Stony Point New York. Stony Point is about a half hour drive north of Nyack and such a beautiful place!

During lunchtime, my co-worker mentioned that she’d been to this conference center once before, and that last time, she explored the meditation labyrinth. What is the meditation labyrinth you ask? Well, so did I! The meditation labyrinth is, a labyrinth, obviously, that you must go through quietly. The point is to get to the center without cheating (stepping over boundary lines-which were the rocks) or talking. There is one way to the center, and you take that same way back.

Once we got there, I took a gander at the labyrinth to see how I could figure it out before I began it. Mistake number one. My co-worker insisted that I couldn’t do that. She said I had to just start walking. So reluctantly I walked, unsure because I hadn’t yet figured out how to get to the center. At the first turn in the labyrinth we actually moved further away from the center. I spoke up: “This is dumb! We’re not closer! We’re further!” Again, my co-worker told me to just keep walking. As I walked, I noticed that this has been my attitude in my journey of life. When I feel furthest away from where I want to be or think I should be, I complain. “GOD!” I say… “This is not working!” God says to keep walking.

As I continued along the path, moving closer, and then further from the center before I could actually get there, I considered it a way that God spoke to me. My hope is that in everything I do, I see God’s purpose and know that I will be where I need to be soon enough, in His timing.

Later in the evening, I looked up where I could find some more meditation labyrinths. One description noted that a labyrinth is NOT a maze. Also interesting!! Mazes have dead ends and multiple ways to the center. Labyrinths have only one way to the center. God would never put me in a maze. He will always make a way. How encouraging! I hope this experience was not only meaningful to me. I hope you too see yourself in your labyrinth.

Guess It’s Time to Grow Up!

  By Melissa | May 24, 2012 - 11:39 am |
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This past week, I’ve made a couple of, adjustments to my life. One of those things being I found a place to rent. It is a home, actually. I will now be renting a room in a house with two housemates. When I finally got paid from my new job, I was excited! Until I remembered I needed a place to live. I have never had to pay rent or any other bill besides my phone and school bill so for most of my check to go to that, it was saddening, BUT the price you pay for growing up I guess!

After I paid that deposit, it hit me that I don’t have much for my room (basically no furniture). I’ve never had to! I’ve lived in a dorm the past few years! Thankfully, my friend’s housemate asked if I could use furniture. I said I did, and to my surprise she said it’s mine! Things like that only happen to pastors, veterans and ridiculously lucky people but how awesome is that? I am so grateful! I never expected that someone could be so giving to someone they barely know!

What I need to learn to do now is manage my money. I am an awesome budgeter. I can go to town on excel and plan my life. But the task now is to execute. How can I make the most of what I am making? Without being tight and stingy of course. Much has been given to me, so how do I exercise generosity now that my financial situation has become more comfortable? I guess that is my question now.

Now, I hope more than ever that I listen to Jesus and understand that His plans are more important than any project, person, anything. I know that in this new and exciting place in my life, He will send me messages and invitations that are incomprehensible, but my prayer is that I follow regardless. It is much easier said than done, but I know God will always make a way.

We’ve Made It!

  By Melissa | May 10, 2012 - 9:35 am |
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So it came and went. Graduation weekend.

IT. WAS. AWESOME.

When I graduated from High School I knew there was something bigger than that graduation that I would reach. It was a simple rites of passage, but college was voluntary unlike High School. I had a choice in college. It was something I invested in.

Leading up to graduation, I was excited, but in the I don’t know what to expect kind of way. I have graduated before, but would I be nervous, happy, sad? Would I cry? Would I be bored? Would I, like HS regret going because there was no deep satisfaction I’d felt?

The entire weekend was filled with excitement. My parents flew to New York from Florida, and the first time I was able to see them, was when I walked into Pardington Hall for the Baccalaureate. It was amazing to see how proud of me they were. I feel as if I’ve done right by not only myself to get a college education, but also right by my parents. In a family of at least 8 or 9 dozen people, there are less than 10 people who have gone to college. Some families see this as a necessity natural order of life, but in my family this is a big deal and I definitely felt that.

It was also exciting to share this moment with my closest friends…the friends I came into Nyack with…who have been with me in my lowest and highest moments…to sit with each other and have a moment after we received our diplomas and say “we did it” with direct inclination that this here, is the beginning of a lifetime, was a moment to cherish.

Before heading into the center. My friend Chris said something interesting.

He said: “They say college is the best years of your life. Don’t get me wrong, I love you guys, but I hope that’s not true.”

I hope not too. If college was the beginning of the rest of my life, I’d say it was a great start!

A Trip to Broadway!

  By Melissa | May 3, 2012 - 9:46 am |
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Every year, the Nyack College Honors group takes a trip to the city to watch a Broadway show. For some reason, every year (with the exception of our trip to see West Side Story) I doubt Dr. Gate’s judgement on the show he selects. Why I question it, I don’t know. I’ve never been let down!

We have seen Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Anything Goes, and last week, Godspell. I didn’t know exactly what to expect. All I knew was that it is based on the book of Mark. Now, I KNOW what happens in the book of Mark but I was a skeptic on how it would be portrayed for a secular audience.

When I walked in, I automatically questioned even the layout of the theatre. The stage was round and small, unlike any I’ve ever seen, and even the first scene seemed overtly artistic, as if the entire thing would be some kind of monologue. I am pleased to say it was not!

The music was fun, the dancing was invigorating. During the intermission we were allowed to dance on stage with some of the performers and the people closest to the stage were brought up to participate. Sounds odd for a Broadway show, but I assure you it was so exciting. These performers did incredibly with their improvisations!

It was also Corbin Blue’s first performance on the show and he played Jesus. I was not sure who he was but I soon found out, from the Freshman who were apart of his time, that he is from High School Musical. He did great! We were also able to meet all of the performers afterwards. I even got an autograph from my personal favorite Wallace Smith who played John the Baptist and Judas.

Afterward, it was a blast to catch up with some of my classmates that I haven’t seen in a while since we’ve all been taking our major classes or, like myself, live elsewhere. We talked about the show, our opinions of the portrayal of the story at large and of course, which song we liked best.  I’m going to miss these shows, but it only means that I need to go off and watch a few Broadway shows on my own time. Perhaps with my siblings, or maybe even with some friends! All I know is that this annual trip to Broadway must not end here.

Coming and Going: Shifting Friendships

  By Melissa | April 23, 2012 - 9:35 am |
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“They say you will never be lonely from the start of each day to its end if you walk life’s pathway with love in your heart, and side by side with a friend.”

As I think more deeply about how much my life will change in the next few weeks, I consider my relationships that I have built, not only at Nyack, but also in high school and at church.

Recently, two of my best friends from high school have moved to NYC. It has been amazing to reconnect. It is great to have those friends that you may not always see, and you may not text every day or even every month sometimes! The three of us have changed so much but it’s refreshing to still be able to maintain a friendship. Sadly, although Nyack isn’t so far away, it’s like I’m leaving them RIGHT when we’ve all been reunited.

(High School Bestie and I reunited and walking the Brooklyn Bridge!)

And this theme seems to persist. Right as I will be getting back to Nyack, the friends I’ve made that came in my year will be transitioning out too. Back home, overseas, and across the country. My hope is that we stay connected even though our lives will be changing drastically.

(2008-2012 Honors retreat with some great friends…)

I have the least concern for the friendships I’ve made with my “brownies” at church, but as we each discover and go after our calling, there has been a lot of rumor of moving. What is with all of this movement! I’d like to argue that I have the best of friends, and I know that every season will come and go which means that people may walk in and out of my life. As heart breaking as that is, I am determined to trust God with the friendships I have, which will be used to make me into the person I am supposed to be. I will also trust that as my friends make different friendships and the dynamic of any relationship changes, that it is the best for both of us, no matter how difficult it is to lose one another.

The Next Step is…

  By Melissa | April 23, 2012 - 9:15 am |
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So a lot has happened in the past month. I know, I’ve been M.I.A. but there are so many changes going on! Where do I begin??

First, awesome news (that I shared on that beautifully edited video blog) I got a job! I start next week after many weeks of paperwork and fingerprinting and I am so excited! I am confident I’ll do great, but it is always nerve wrecking to think about not only what is expected of you for the position, but also, this being a full time job, if I’ve got what it takes to be, well, an adult! Again, I know I’ll be fine, but you can’t help but wonder!

Secondly, I was accepted into NYU! It’s still weird for me to say out loud, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that being at Nyack has made me into quite a student! I’m so nervous about transitioning into graduate school, but again, I’m confident I’ll do well. I’ve decided to defer and take a year off so that I can better prepare One transition at a time, PLEASE!

Lastly, I am graduating!! And with that comes a few things.. the final ceremony from the “Women’s Rites of Passage” that I have mentioned in previous blogs. I have to dress up (like a princess) haha, share something from my heart that I have gained from this journey of woman (which I decided would be a poem) and really own this title of woman! I’ll be sure to share pictures and perhaps the poetry as well.

And of course, the graduation ceremony in it self. Being a twin, I have never been celebrated with out sharing the limelight. It will probably be a little overwhelming, but joyous all the same to have people celebrate me. I’m not usually into that. The amazing part is that my family will be there, and that is everything I could ask for…

 

So how do I feel about these next steps…. SO EXCITED!!!!

Polish Cuisine, Anyone?

  By Melissa | March 10, 2012 - 4:09 pm |
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One of the things I love about living in Brooklyn, or New York City in general, is the culture you can easily immerse yourself in. There are Italian communities, Jewish communities, West Indian communities, Hispanic communities, and the list goes on and on.

This week, I had the pleasure of enjoying some Polish cuisine. My friend and I went to a restaurant in Brooklyn called Krolewskie Jadlo. I don’t know what that means but it was some of the best tasting food I have ever had!

I am really, really bad at trying new things/foods, so I was a little hesitant at the whole idea, which wasn’t mine. We walked in and everyone there seemed to know each other, and that could have been intimidating since my friend and I obviously didn’t know anyone but the waitress made us feel right at home. I started my meal with “The King’s Potato Pancake.”

Afterwards, I had Grilled Hanger Steak. I don’t exaggerate when I say that this meal was so delicious, that it was all I could think about for the rest of the day. I definitely recommend this place to anyone that would like to try something new.

On the Making of a Woman

  By Melissa | March 1, 2012 - 1:07 am |
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Nyack College has a new program called the Woman’s Rite of Passage. Our very own Dr. Amy Davis wrote her dissertation on the Rites of Passage for Women and created something out of it for women who are in their senior year at Nyack, recent graduates, and some faculty members. The purpose is to begin the journey of living out  womanhood in God’s perspective. This year, I am a part of this (in it’s second year) and it is molding me!

It began in October with a ceremony where we all got dressed up and had a tea party. We celebrated each other, and prepared for the journey by receiving a book and a welcoming into the program. Since then each meeting has consisted of tea and conversation of the assignments distributed in the previous meeting and discussions of the text.

A few weeks ago, we met after interviewing four women that we respect. Living with my brothers, I figured finding a woman would be difficult, but I took this opportunity to gain some insight from my sister-in-law, my brother’s girlfriend, my pastor, and my mother. All of these women were incredibly insightful in their own ways!

I didn’t realize how much alike my sister-in-law and I are, or how much information about relationships my pastor had to share. It was refreshing to ask these women what womanhood meant to them, and how their journey has developed. I probably won’t interview other women as formally as I did, but I am encouraged to keep asking questions! Women have so much to share than can be so helpful to learn! In the same way, I encourage young men to connect with other men and discuss their journey as well. Everyone has so much to learn, and I feel like this program is helping me make the most of what I have to mold me into the woman I know God intends for me to be. :)

A Preview of the Kingdom of God

  By Melissa | February 17, 2012 - 7:32 pm |
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Well, I’ve got to admit. Post-grad has not been easy. But when has transition every been easy? I’ve decided to take advantage of the time that I have an invest in something that I’ve been wanting to do since the summer. My church.

http://newlifefellowship.org

I go to New Life Fellowship Church in Queens and I love it. (You have got to check out the video on the home page from the link above). I have grown so much from what God has done in me there and it is amazing how lives are changed there everyday. Not just in small groups and Sunday services, but also with the CDC (community development center). I had limited knowledge about what the CDC did for the neighborhood of Elmhurst but I had been wanting to know more. I spoke to Redd, the person who runs the whole operation, and he showed me all the things available to people. ESL classes, Food and Clothing Pantry, Young Governors, a health center, club scouts, and so many other things for children, youth and adults. The idea is that the church shows the world what the kingdom of God looks like, and quite frankly I love it!

I spoke to Redd at the end of my tour and we talked about how what I want to do with my career and how I could use all this stuff I learned at Nyack towards helping the CDC. We came up with a plan! I love to hear people’s stories. Everyone has one and I feel like It’s my responsibility to share them with others so that it can encourage someone who may be feeling like they’re alone. So, thus begins my endeavor. I will be listening to the stories of volunteers and people who use NewLife’s services and I will be having the privilege of sharing those stories. I am so excited!! I’m still looking for jobs, but my brothers have been super supportive and understanding of this transition. My family rocks :)

In Waiting…

  By Melissa | January 27, 2012 - 5:14 pm |
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So, I’ve guided you through this walk in which I talk about looking for jobs post-grad and each day seems harder. I’m learning that in these moments, this is when I need to trust God most.

One of my favorite devotional books is Dialogues with Silence by Thomas Merton. There are great prayers in this book. The prayer that is sustaining me throughout this job search and just about this idea of the future in general is this:

You know my soul. You know all that needs to be done there. Do it in Your own way. Draw me to you, O my God. Fill me with pure love of You alone. Make me never go aside from the way of your love. Show me clearly that Way and never let me leave from it. That will be enough. I leave everything in Your hands. You will guide me without error and without danger and I will love you all the way. I belong to you. I will not be afraid of anything for I shall remain in your hands and never leave you.

This prayer is amazing and a reminder that as long as I am trusting God and His will, He is definitely going to lead me without error.

For now though, I am still searching for jobs, but taking advantage of this time to spend with the people I love most (including my niece who I babysit here and there), spend time with God, apply to grad school, and have a break from school and work. I mean, who knows when is the next time THAT will be?