After letting a couple more months slide with no update, it’s official: I’ve been in New York City over a year now; I am 25-years-old; and this morning I had to surrender my expired Ohio driver’s license while I wait for my New York license to come in the mail. It is funny to me how something like a license can make something seem so concrete. I’m not just here for a little while; I’m really living in New York — otherwise, why wouldn’t I be keeping my Ohio license? I also think a year of staring at a HUGE (amazing, but huge nonetheless) computer screen for something like seven hours a day, five days a week, has taken a toll on my eyesight. This could be completely bogus, but I would rather blame that than the fact that I am just getting older. I could no longer pass the eye exam without my glasses. This makes me think it might be time to explore contacts as an option.
And after Mass this Saturday, I will officially be a lector at my church. I am counting the official marker as it will be the first time I have done it there.
I am also officially ready for spring.
And with spring, of course, comes Easter. But before Easter is Lent.
Over my 25 years of life, I’ve given up a variety of things. As a child I once went the entire season without chocolate. And the way I celebrated on Easter was a collection of pogs each with a different football helmet on them. This was my choice, though to think about it kind of perplexes me, since I’ve never really been into football… but I digress. In Arkansas, one of my roommates and I spent the entirely of Lent on a Daniel fast (I do not recommend trying to do one of these alone — I think the solidarity/accountability of having a fasting buddy is the key to success here). And last year I gave up meat.
After careful consideration, I weighed my thoughts on what I would do. I dismissed the idea of another Daniel fast for the above stated reason and ultimately nixed going pescatarian until Easter since I haven’t been eating much meat lately (or ever in my life), and I couldn’t see that bringing me closer to God this year. So, what did I decide to give up? First, all alcohol. Second, on Sundays I will give up all forms of media — i.e., laptop, TV, iPod, and texting and checking e-mail or Facebook on my BlackBerry (but since it is my only phone, I will allow myself to make and receive calls). Finally, I am striving to do at least one thing per day to further my faith (besides personal prayer) — for this I’m counting adult faith formation, bible study, theology on tap, etc., and of course Mass.
Since I always have plenty of lunch time left after eating, this week (starting on Ash Wednesday) I’ve been using the first half of my lunch hour to attend daily Mass. This is something I hope to keep up for the majority of the Lenten season.
