Hello everyone!

It has been quite some time since I have last written. Since my last post, I have finished my Junior Year of college on an admittedly low note, but already this summer, I have been reinvigorated. I know that by the time Senior year (ewwww) rolls around, I will be ready to face the semester head on with the same can-do attitude I usually have. I have also gone back to France for a short service trip, which I will write about and link here when I write about it at some point in the near future.

Yesterday, I started an internship in the city on the Upper West side, and it was really amazing. The weather was beautiful and clear at around 68 degrees. The day started off normally, but when I got on the LIRR, I realized I had forgotten to pack a book. I did, however, remember to put on my Rosary ring, so I contented myself with praying the Rosary. It would be good for me anyway, I figured, with my going into the city and all. You never know what is going to happen.

I got to Columbus Circle 40 minutes before I had to be, so I went to Starbucks and sat down with my unnecessary coffee. Thank goodness I had a gift card. It was fun to people watch anyway, and I got to see some dogs trot by, so all in all, it turned out to be a great half hour. I walked to the door of the place I needed to be, but I was still ten minutes early, so I waited at the bottom of the steps in front of a food truck. A few minutes later, the girl whom I presumed to be the other intern walked up the stairs. I walked up, timidly. I’m actually pretty shy when dealing with complete strangers. She said, “Oh are you Theresa?” She gave me a big smile and then a big hug. I was floored. I mean, delighted, but just surprised. I’m not opposed to hugging, but I know that a lot of other people are, so I never go in for the hug on the first meeting. Anyway, after the sanguine introduction, we entered the building together. Looking back now, it was without a doubt the Blessed Mother telling me to wait for the other intern, and I am glad I did!

The office is really small, and I think I will enjoy my time there. The morning was friendly introductions (including Intern tumblers0, and then some light work. Then, the other intern and I went to a place called Fluffy’s (not sure if I need to disclaim this, but this is not sponsored), and it was so amazing. I got this salad at the salad station, and when I sat down, who I presumed to be the owner put a water bottle on the table, but I hadn’t asked for one. He said he wanted me to have it and smiled. He checked in on me a few minutes later, even though he totally didn’t have to. There was no table service, but the customer service was impeccable. I would 15/10 recommend and definitely will be returning (I should be food and restaurant critic haha). But anyway, he was really kind, and it was just another positive moment in my day. The world is a truly wonderful place, even in NYC where people avoid eye contact like the plague.

The rest of the day passed nicely. I walked back to the 1 train downtown and got to Penn Station. I got there way earlier than I expected, so I saw that there was a Ronkonkama train leaving soon. I got on it and figured if it was not going to my stop, I would just get off at Jamaica. The doors closed, and I settled in…well, the best I could while standing up. I wasn’t bothered though because I was sitting the whole day anyway. I turned and asked the young woman behind me if the train would be stopping at Jamaica. She looked worried for me. Uh oh. “Oh my gosh, I don’t think so. This is an express train.”

Aaah. Ok. Normal people would have felt panic, but no, I was genuinely curious as to where I would be going now. I looked up at the electric sign on the train: Wyandanch. Shoot. I had never even heard of that place before. Ok. I still was not feeling at all panicked, which was strange. If anything, I was eerily calm. The young woman I asked about Jamaica still looked low-key worried for me, but I felt a smile creeping up on my mouth. This was actually really funny. I texted my family, and then found the conductor. After calmly explaining what had happened to the conductor, she kindly told me how to get back to my stop. She said I should get off at Wyandanch and then get on the train that comes the other way. There were actually two other young ladies who did the same thing as I did. I called my dad, but he said to just go to the end at Ronkonkama. I was really unsure, but after getting reassured probably 10 times, I agreed to do it. The rest of the train ride, I said another Rosary mostly out of boredom, but also because I was now feeling worried about going to Ronkonkama.

When I got to Ronkonkama station, it honestly reminded me of a train station where I got lost in Paris. (Yes, I will always relate my life back to Paris.) In Paris, I had missed my stop, and so I got off the train and had to ask how to get back to the station I needed, but I was at this station that felt like a mini-Jamaica Station. Also, I felt a bit like my German great-aunt when she came to Long Island because she just rode the LIRR back and forth. Anyway, back to Long Island, I was at this station, and it took me a while to figure out where I needed to be, plus I second-guessed myself since I had already messed up that day. I got to the platform, and three car double-decker came into the station (going the other way), and it was obviously not my train. The conductor asked me where I was going, and I told him. He wished me a good day. He was really nice too. Everyone today was just so helpful and kind like wow, thank you Jesus because I don’t think I would have been able to handle this day if they hadn’t been.

A few minutes later, I got on my train and headed back towards the station where I needed to be. I prayed another Rosary, mostly out of gratitude for all the kind people I met today. The conductor on this train was puzzled as to how I got here to just go to Mineola, but he kind of shrugged and let it be. When I got to the station, a man in the elevator was also really nice. I called my parents to let them know where I was, then my phone died. Perfect timing.

It was an adventurous day, and it quenched my wanderlust for the month, to say the least. But honestly, I am glad I didn’t panic because at the end of the day, it was a beautiful, clear, sunny day. I was able to bask in the golden hour sunlight, see places of Long Island that I have never seen before, and pray 3 Rosaries in one day! Panicking would have only made me miss out on the beautiful day and the wonderful people I met. I already feel Our Lady working on my soul because despite the minor mess-up with the journey home, I saw the positive in things rather than the negatives, and I just think that’s beautiful. I high recommend everyone to get a Rosary ring (one that you actually wear on your finger) if you feel called to pray the Rosary more since it’s more portable and subtle, but still super effective.

Until next time!

Love,