Thanksgiving in the Boogie Down BX

Over the course of this year there are many things to be thankful for. The most predominant of which has been my involvement with the Augustinian Volunteers and all of the great people I have met thus far on my journey.

This year was the first in twenty-five that I have been away from home for Thanksgiving and I couldn't have picked a better group to share it with than my community and the Bronx community. We headed down to NYC on Wednesday night just so that we would be able to be up and at em for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! We hopped the 4 train for Grand Central Terminal at 5:30am Thursday morning and by the time we were on the corner of 42nd and 6th the streets were all ready filling up with those who, like us, were there to experience the mystery and wonder of GIGANTIC balloons and High School marching bands.



When we got back to Andrew's Ave. in the BX Brian was already at work preparing for our feast. Everyone got involved doing our best to make this a Thanksgiving weekend we would never forget. A short six hours later, with the turkey ready for carving, we began setting the table and receiving a few guests from the block.

Guys night out in the Bronx

Friday we spent the afternoon wandering around Manhattan on Brian's whirlwind tour. We began at Central Park, moved down through Rockafeller Center, Time Square, Wall Street, and finished up at Battery Park.

The whole gang at the Pond in Central Park

Friday night we visited a few pubs in the East Village and Midtown and just enjoyed each others company while dancing the night away. This was a weekend I will always remember and never duplicate.

Realizing my reality

Tonight was a monumental experience for me. We had our final push for our "Capital Campaign" at the Blessed Stephen Bellesini Academy. Going into the event I expected to be pouring out drinks to our prospective donors, you know... "Kissing hands and shaking babies" (Black Sheep).

The night started out slow, a few enlightened individuals talking with me and my co-workers about what the school has to offer. I would speak my peace and be completely excited about what I had to say. They were high ranking officials from many walks of life. This continued for a long while and I was happy with the conversations we had until we had our final section in which one of our current students and one of the alums spoke. A seventh grade student with the drive and clarity of a thirty year old spoke. I have never seen anyone of that age speak with such eloquence and promise. It made me forget that I worked for the school and wasn't one of the prospective donors.

He continued to speak about how much the Bellesini Academy had done for he and his predecessors and he enjoyed every bit of it. He gave a synopsis of their classes, extra-curricular activities, and evening study events.

Next on the agenda was a recent graduate of Bellesini Acedemy who is currently enrolled in a Community College and excited to excel to the extent that he will be able to receive his Bachelors in Management and an Associates in Communications. When he was about to come to his conclusion he was practically in tears and it reinforced in me WHY I AM HERE...

Though I may not be the wisest person in the world or be able to help with their current studies, I am certain that what I am doing is important. I am so blessed to be involved with the Augustinian Volunteers and I know that if you were to ask any of my cohorts they would agree fully if not in the near future.

Between the Augustinian Volunteers and my own personal love of the Bellesini Academy, I know that they are among the greatest programs in their respected fields. If you are reading this and would like to see it first-hand, please reach out to me so I can inform you of the gifts that you could give to these individuals in the future.

I am eternally grateful that my past employment opportunities were not what I was looking for so that I was so fortunate to find the Av's and do what I am today.

This is where I need and WANT to be. I could not ask for anything more and I feel as if I am learning so much that the young gentlemen (students) are getting the short end of the stick.

"Today it is seen more an more that the Church is a community in which different people have different gifts, all of which are necessary and important." ~St. Augustine

So Long Sweet Summer

So I realize that it has been a while since my last blog, and I apologize to my two fans (both of which are family) for this injustice. As the days pass by and the sun drops lower in the sky it is inevitable that the summer is drawing to an end. The September air has become a bit brisk and though it is sad to see summer end I cannot wait for the wonders of New England foliage.

All is well in Lawrence. I just completed my first full week of molding young minds - primarily working with 7th and 8th grade Language Arts classes - and though I am still just earning the students trust I could not ask for a better experience. I don't have any stories thus far that are out of the ordinary, but I assure you they will come in spades.

Community

This weekend began the first of many community outings to come. Saturday we decided to venture into our new city of Boston to meet up with some of Charlie's friends from Chi-town. We made it to the train station in Lawrence with seconds to spare and when we arrived at the North Station (which is part of the Boston Garden) we learned that Britney Spears' concert was about to begin. I must say that I have not seen that eclectic of a group of individuals converging on a venue at the same time since Skynyrd played the Bloomsburg Fair. We figured out which way was south and began in that direction to try and find our destination. With the help of one of Boston's finest we eventually made our way to the Purple Shamrock, a great Irish Pub in the Faneuil Hall section near the Old North Church. The night was filled with reunions, new acquaintances, and what will be many great memories. After crashing at the Westin Copley Place which was occupied by the Chi-town group we met up with (the same hotel where President Obama was earlier that day) Charlie and I made our way back to Lawrence to meet back up with the rest of our community.

Sunday afternoon we departed yet again to the Bank of America Pavilion on the Boston waterfront to see the Flaming Lips in concert that night. It turned out to be one of the most visually fulfilling shows I have ever seen. The lead singer began the first song by surfing the crowd in a gigantic ball while many streamers, confetti canons, and balloons were launched into the extremely enthusiastic crowd. I thought that entrance could have created a greater anticipation of things to come than you'd expect, but throughout the show they ceased to amaze me.

Beaker was at the show!!!!

If this is foreshadowing of the times we have ahead of us then I welcome it with arms outstretched.

Feast of St. Augustine

The day of the Feast of St. Augustine was yesterday. My community members and I began our day by attending mass/lunch at Merrimack College. I learned truly how small the world is when I was approached by Fr. Jim Wenzel, O.S.A. who had told me the two personal friends of his had asked him to look out for me throughout the duration of my service. Sidebar: On the first day of our arrival Fr. Joe Narog of St. A's parish told me he was from Pottsville and I had learned from my parents that my mom's roommate from college and her husband (my pseudo aunt and uncle) had attended his ordination. If that doesn't show how small the world is I don't know what will! We were then greeted by all of the friars of the college who all extended their gratitude and offered all of us their help down the road with anything we might need. It was an unnecessary gesture but greatly appreciated. We were recognized at the end of the mass for our service in the community and barraged by the congregation with what seemed to be a set list of questions. The evening consisted of evening prayer at St. Ambrose friary on the campus of Merrimack and a genuine FEAST with the friars after the conclusion of prayer. After dinner we said our goodbyes and were given ALL of the leftovers which included about three pounds of Sesame Chicken, Green Bean Salad, and Gazpacho soup. We have all quickly learned that as long as the Augustinian friars are around we will not go hungry!

Home Sweet Home

Disclaimer: Mom don't take the title too personally. Your house will always be home, but you always told me that home is what you make it ;-)

NYC from the window of the plane

Tuesday August 25, 2009 myself and my three community members (Charlie, Erika, and Alex) all boarded Flight 3159 from Philadelphia to Manchester, NH we were all chomping at the bit to see our new home. We had all heard that it was a nice house, but due to the fact that we are living a very minimalistic life we were unsure of HOW far our expectations should span.

We arrived in Manchester around 2:00 and were greeted with smiles by Fr. Joe and Mike. They dropped us off at our house and the rat race began. We all were running around the house inspecting each nook and cranny to see what the previous volunteers had left us and to jockey for position on each room. The house was SO much more than we had realized. It's a comfortable 5 bedroom home with a partially finished basement, washer/dryer (clutch), and a balcony off of the back bedroom.

The first night we spent with the Augustinians in North Andover who welcomed us with open arms and gave us a great introduction to the area as well as a meal fit for a king. Since that night we have been slowly becoming adjusted to our new surroundings, cooking as a community (sink meat tacos/sausage and pasta), and have each had the opportunity to meet our supervisors/co-workers and seen our new places of work.

Lawrence is still a mystery to us because we have not yet had the opportunity to explore it to the fullest, but we have made some friends with the neighboring youth as well as watched a few great soccer matches across the way from our stoop. It appears to have been a thriving metropolis in its hay day but has since become downtrodden yet still holds a certain zeal.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both. And be one traveler, long I stood. And looked down one as far as I could. To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there. Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay. In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh. Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference. ~Robert Frost (Born in Lawrence, MA)

The New Chapter

Late July I was accepted to take part in the Augustinian Volunteers (http://www.osavol.com/). It wasn't a difficult decision for me to make because I have known a few people who have been involved in the past and they have told me of the great experiences and friends they have made through the process. I will be spending my ten months in community in Lawrence, MA, working at the Blessed Stephen Bellesini Academy with 5-8th grade boys as a teacher's aid/coach.

On August 17th the 'rents dropped me off at the entrance of the Courtyard Mariott in Devon, PA to begin orientation for the program. I thought I knew what I was about to experience though I was open to anything that could come my way.

The eight day orientation was one of high's, period. It was one of the easiest transitions I have made in my life. I met all of my community members within the first 15 minutes of arriving at the hotel and we all had reservations of sorts I am sure, but after spending the one night just relaxing out in the courtyard of our hotel we all knew it would be a great experience and we would have great times throughout.

I believe every one of the domestic and international locations all got along and had some great laughs as well as some realities that were uncovered throughout the experience. In one week I had built relationships that I know will stand the test of time. By the time we had to head to the airport we didn't want to leave, it was just to much fun getting to know each other and hanging out everynight that we didn't want it to ever end.

Good luck to all my fellow AV's and I look forward to seeing all of the domestic AV's this mid-year retreat. As for the Internationals, I will never forget you and I can't wait 'til we meet again.

"We know we are traveling together... There is only one goal and we are all anxious to reach it, some at a slow pace, and others more quickly." ~St. Augustine

The Wedding of the Century

Welcome to my new blog. This summer has been a complete blur to me. There have been some great moments of celebration, reflection, and new experiences. The highlights begin with the wedding of my sister. It was a better weekend than anyone could have imagined from the venues to the weather and most importantly the addition of a first round draft pick to the Slike clan. The weekend began with the rehearsal dinner night.

The rehearsal dinner took place at the Vesper Boat Club on Boathouse Row. The majority of the guests were Philadelphia natives and had never been inside one of the famous boathouses. It was a Philly influenced menu which of course included some world class cheesesteaks and IPA's.

The highlight of the night came when some suprise guests (Libby Fifer, Uncle Lou, Uncle Bruce, and Mark Murphy) blew us all away with some great renditions of music that you could tell took a lot of thought and preparation.

So this brings us to the BIG DAY. While the bridal party was getting all dolled up the guys met at Mark and Jen's house for some pre-game festivities.

We arrived at Old St. A's in Olde City Philly ushering in all of the guests and anxiously waiting for the bride to arrive. As Jenny walked down the isle with my father to meet my mom and I half way she seemed so calm and 100% ready to take this next step in her already accomplished life. She was absolutely graceful and while looking back at the congregation made eye contact with each and every person as if to let them know how greatful she was to share this experience with them.

After the ceremony everyone made moves towards the Radnor Hunt for the reception. Going into what I will consider one of the best parties I've been to EVER I knew what events would unfold. Massive amounts of dancing, laughing, singing, and just enjoying the presence of everyone involved. The band was second to none never taking a single break and the meal was more than I could've imagined.

A few good men at the reception

The guys shown above as well as many who are absent from the picture make wedding receptions an athletic contest. There were countless amounts of dance-offs, group moves, and slow motion sways. The last song of the night was decided to be Tiny Dancer in which the whole crew circled up around Jen and the Good Doctor and sang with all their might. As the song drew to a close the whole circle collapsed to a mass of people jumping up and down to the Villanova fight song rounded off with a boistrous chant of Ole.

This is one night that will never be forgotten and will be held in our hearts as one of the most memorable weekends to this day.