It was the Summer of '22

It's been a minute.

Well, it's been a (school) year, if I'm being honest. When veteran principals say that it was their hardest year ever, I realized I am very fortunate to feel like I do after 2021-2022. I truly am grateful to be where I'm at... and I was even more grateful for the summer break, as it was very much needed.

To say the Summer of 2022 will likely go down in (my) history as one of the best I've had (aside from the whole trying to hire during a teacher shortage, you know) is an accurate statement. I've traveled to places that have long been on my bucket list, listened to plenty of live music, caught up with friends, and got to spend time with my family. Each activity or trip could easily have its own post, but I'll keep it short, maybe expanding later on... (I wasn't on my game this summer - everything passed too fast!)

HERE. WE. GO - A WHIRLWIND RECAP:

1. Spain/France Trip Chaperone with Middle School Students: (As a highlight, I was so proud of how they behaved overall. What troopers!)

How it started (flight into Madrid)

Holy Toledo!

Montmartre (France)

Paris sights!

Normandy = incredible

Yes, we kayaked. The kids didn't enjoy working that hard :)

How it ended - south of France in Nice!

2. Live Music & Cultural Experiences...Including Ravinia Concerts and Elton John!

Always a pleasant place to hear music :)

I could have danced all night...

Cezanne exhibit at the Art Institute

What's the buzz? Tell me what's a happening...

The man himself - what a performer!

3. Annual National Parks Road Trip - Acadia (ME) and Shenandoah (VA) with many a stop in between...

First pit stop = Niagara Falls

Only took 3 years to actually get here ;)

They called it Maine Survivor. I called it delicious!

No filter (sunset coming down from Cadillac Mountain)

LobsTAH

Sunrise - Cadillac Mountain

ACE roomies reunited

Chicago friend

Shenandoah sunset

Loved seeing familiar faces across the USA :)

4. Family and Friend Visits

Memorial Day Weekend / Tricia's Retirement Party

Visiting long-time family friends in MI

Meeting ACE housemate's new baby girl

Baby shower celebration for ACE classmate

Reunited and it feels so good!

5. ACE Principal Academy @ Notre Dame

The Grotto = my favorite place to pray and be

Bl Basil Moreau <3

Some of my fellow cohort members - we braved the rain!

Show me your joy!

Fr. Hesburgh's office

No trip to ND complete without Ritters!

Have courage - go towards the storm!

And now summer is quickly coming to a close. (Actually, it's been closed for me since I got back from Notre Dame.) Teachers come back on Friday (for an outside PD), and then we are hitting the ground running. Please keep us in your prayers. 

Cheers to 2022-2023!!

Cha-, cha-, cha-, changes

I don't believe I've ever heard someone admit that he/she likes change. Change is hard. Frankly, change often sucks.

Back in ACE, I found myself getting sick when my two years with my five housemates was coming to a close. I'm pretty sure I lost at least 5 pounds and definitely could not enjoy most foods for a three-week period. People told me I had Chron's Disease or that I needed to go to the doctor. My dad was the one who turned out to be right - I was bringing it on myself. (It's kind of scary to realize that my mind has that much power over my bodily functions.)

In retrospect, I was nervous that I was going to lose touch with my friends after being so close for 2 years. (Let's face it - and my friends will tell you - I'm terrible at keeping in touch...except for birthday and Christmas cards.) I had gotten comfortable with the way things were, and I hated the idea of the unknown. But it was going to come no matter what - life doesn't have a pause button. (Sometimes wouldn't it be great if it did?)

As we come to the end of yet another school year, change is inevitable. Faculty members are retiring. Friends are moving away. Members of various teams I'm on or groups I'm a part of are packing their bags. And it's time to say goodbye...which gets harder to do each time I see these people because soon they'll be out of Chicago.

I'm so grateful that Chicago is a city where people come to stay, at least for awhile. But it's hard being the one who's left behind, as certain events or places will often bring back memories of times spent with friends. In the grand scheme of life, though, we're all just passing through. And even though certain friends may go, there are always opportunities to make new friendships and reconnect with old ones. There's always an excuse to pick up the phone (which I need to get better about!) to call and catch up - people are literally just a phone call away.

So yes, there will inevitably be tears over the coming weeks. But I am hopeful for what change will bring for this upcoming year too.

Renewing our commitment, zeal, and hope for Catholic education

It was definitely a neat experience to have NCEA 2019 in our very own city of Chicago this past week. The Archdiocese shut down for two days, and all schools were required to send their staffs. I bumped into so many people - my own current faculty, teachers I used to work with at my previous school, classmates from Remick and ACE, friends & professors from Notre Dame, and other fellow teachers from across the city. Plus, many of my faculty got to meet my twin sister and thought they were seeing double. (We were turning heads right and left, for sure.)

LOVED seeing our high school ACE teacher - she was the best!

Remick 15 representation at NCEA

Always a good time when you get ACE XV friends together
(And the ACE HH was amazing!)

Over the two days, I ended up attending some good sessions, and I also had the opportunity to present about how to engage our Catholic school students in their weekly/monthly Masses. The presentation stemmed from my grad school work, and I was originally encouraged to apply by one of my grad school supervisors. In looking back, I am so grateful for the push - it was a terrific experience (even though I was extremely nervous in the weeks leading up to it), and I believe the people who came walked away with some practical ideas to put into place in their own communities. In fact, I received an email yesterday from one of the attendees, and it truly made my day -->

Here are a couple of pics from the session - the principal I work with and some of my friends snapped some photos -->

I believe this was before the technology cut out...

Pretty sure I was praying for grace and peace at this point!

As teachers and leaders in Catholic schools, we need to constantly seek opportunities, both formal and informal, to renew our commitment, zeal, and hope for our work with the young people in our care. So, in my humble opinion, what probably is the most fruitful thing that came from the conference is the boost of energy and ideas for everyone who attended NCEA - the timing of being right near the end of the school year could not have been better as we make the final stretch toward summer and we work to keep it meaningful, rigorous, and joyful. 

I am so proud and blessed to be working in Catholic education - I believe that just as it was a gift for me growing up, our Catholic schools are a gift to the students who come through our doors each and every day. For all of my fellow Catholic school educators - keep up the good work! And know you are in my prayers.

I will run the rACE

March is a long month with no spring break. Just throwing that out there.

Luckily for me, I had a perfect get-away: the annual ACE marathon. In and of itself, anything ACE-related usually proves a pretty good time. Couple that with the backdrop of Oakland, CA (and the fact that a handful of friends live there/nearby), and I was golden.

I don't think my heart could have been any happier. (You can ask my sister - I was literally jumping up and down at some points with joy.)

I have been so fortunate in regards to my health (especially in being able to run with plantar fasciitis) and with the support and prayers of my family, friends, and coworkers. I was extremely sad to leave Oakland and the people there, it's true; yet, I am now filled with what I believe I need to get me to spring break. And for that I am extremely grateful. We all need to take time to refresh and hit the pause button...sometimes we don't realize just how much we need it until that time is upon us.

For good measure, here are some pictures from the weekend - fair warning: there are a lot, so I'll leave you to it. :)

Even though our flight was initially cancelled, we adapted and made it to Oakland!

Ended up bunking at the ACErs' house/convent one night - they weren't messing around. They were ready for the crowd!

We stayed right near Old Oakland...and they had a farmers' market and umbrellas.

Made it to daily Mass at Cathedral of Christ the Light - beautiful church!

This is not a hologram - it's made from the natural light. So cool!

We carbed up...while making sure we were meat-free on Friday :)

We wandered around Lake Merritt and found lots of neat little places to visit, such as the Bonzai Garden.

You bet we run this town!

Per a recommendation on Atlas Obscura...

One of my classmates came to visit on Friday night!

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

The weather was unreal - even though it was a little on the warmer side by the time the marathon rolled around, we couldn't have asked for better weather!

ACE housemates and classroom neighbors, carpool buddies, etc. (Basically this guy is the brother I never had and it was SO good to see him!)

Twins with matching shoes...that happened.

Go ACE, go!

26.2 miles later - woo hoo!

Made the choice to walk around San Francisco post-marathon - we were able to stretch the legs, but holy cow were there some steep inclines we walked up and down.

More RLP love!

The answer is ice cream. Always ice cream.

Bay Bridge from afar

Golden Gate Bridge (up close) - it was such a perfect sunset!

Scored some serious leg room on the way home (after our plane made a stop in Seattle).

These ACE people made my heart very happy - together the team raised over $10,000 for the ACE school this year. What troopers! And so much joy!!