My first assignment: blog about May Term. What seemed like a relatively easy assignment has kept me staring at this computer screen for some time now. I am struggling to correctly translate each feeling I experienced onto paper, er, I mean computer screen? Well whatever it’s called, this is a lot harder than I thought. So, with my new favorite band “TV on the Radio” playing on continuous loop thanks to YouTube, my vehicle for free music, I begin this blog.
May Term was different for me because I came into it not as a student but rather a Community Life Assistant (CLA). My job: make sure people have fun in Philadelphia. This was the best job ever because I had a blast over these past two and a half weeks. I’m going to be honest, May Term is INTENSE. Your mornings are filled with class, afternoons consist of community service and nights are everything from going to the top of Loews Tower until we get kicked out, to grabbing dessert in the city, hanging out on South Street and going to Condom Kingdom (it’s not as bad as it sounds, but it is…don’t be upset) to hanging out at jazz clubs, to trying cow tongue at one of the many ethnic restaurants that populate Philadelphia. I want to tell you everything that we did but time does not permit me to, well actually it does, I have all day but I don’t feel like telling you, I need to leave some things a mystery so you guys will actually want to come here.
I can’t help but think about the expectations I put on myself when something like May Term starts. I somehow always gauge exactly how much fun I will have, whether I will leave feeling satisfied or disappointed. And somehow my expectations are always shattered. I firmly believe that it’s not until we truly step out of our comfort zone, and allow ourselves to be stretched, that we can grow; whether that’s spiritually, mentally, or whatever else you’re failing at in life right now.
I am not going to post a listing of my ten favorite spots in Philadelphia and accompany a nice little picture to go along with it. I refuse to try and sell you on the city. I’m going to tell you how I am feeling and you can take it or leave it. If I am pissed off at the city and its terrible traffic patterns I will tell you, if I am kept awake by the constant sound of cop cars and drunk people yelling I will tell you, if I am riding my bike down the street and glance up at the skyline and my breath is taken away, even if it’s just for a second, I will tell you. If I see the raw love of Christ that is only preached about on Sunday mornings but never practiced I will tell you. This blog is my chance to be real with you. I refuse to spoon feed my ideas; I want you to work for them. In closing, I hope that you will somehow be attracted to this blog like a car wreck; it’s terrible but for some reason you can’t look away.

-mark