Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

                On a random Thursday I walked out of the apartment building I was staying in at the time and came to a very startling conclusion: my car had been stolen.  By now you’ve probably heard the tale of how some thief in the night swung by the parking lot, took my old Accord, stripped it of all the important parts and ditched it.  It doesn’t make you feel very safe, especially when you’re trying to get adjusted to a new area of the country.  There was nothing I could do, I just happened to have an easy to steal car and crime is quite a bit more rampant here.  I’m not going to bore you with all the details here but the short version of the story is that I’m now the proud owner of a 2004 Saab 9-5 Arc.  It’s a great car, has plenty of awesome features (including anti-theft!), and was a very good deal.

                I know we’re not supposed to get attached to material things because they’re of this world and mean very little in the grand scheme of life.  However, that was my first car, the only one I ever really knew.  I took my driving test in that car, picked up my first date in that car, and it was the car that held out long enough to bring me to Connecticut.  I have so many memories, good and bad, in that car, but just like everything else that was going on in my life; I suppose it’s time to move on.  I know it was probably time to trade up, but I guess we all just want to do that kind of thing on our terms instead of a random thief’s terms.

                In other news, I’m finally getting settled into my new apartment, one that is much safer and secure than the last one turned out to be.  Since my parents brought my furniture and my decorations from home it really is starting to feel like home.  Central Connecticut isn’t Cincinnati by a long shot, but I’m learning that different isn’t always a bad thing.  For one, the people up here know how to cook and finding a decent slice of pizza is easy, not a chore.  I’m still learning the ins and outs of this new area I’ve moved to and finding a permanent parish to join is still on the top of my to-do list.  But for now I’m just trying to become a part of the community instead of just being content to occupy space.  Work is progressing well; still getting adjusted to the unique culture that flows throughout the ESPN campus.

                Through the trials and tribulations of the past few weeks, I feel like I’m becoming closer to Christ despite these misfortunes.  I know that Satan is always going to try and pry at our insecurities, doing his best to keep us away from what God calls us to truly be.  But I’m not going to let him win and get me to turn away from Christ, it never has happened and it never will.  My Mom reminded me that it could be so much worse, like Job in the Old Testament who lost everything and still remained faithful to the Lord.  It’s not an easy thing to hear, but I’m trying to do my best to approach life with a much more hopeful, optimistic and positive outlook.  Maybe my life isn’t totally where I thought it would be at this point, but I’m very thankful for all the blessings I do have and I’m going to work hard to make my other dreams come true.

                I apologize for the long break in the updates from Connecticut, which I learned on Jeopardy tonight is the 3^rd smallest state (Rhode Island and Delaware are smaller) and also has the 3^rd oldest university in the US, Yale (Harvard and William & Mary are older).  I pray that the traumatic life events are over for now and since I’m getting into a regular routine without having to buy cars, move, or unpack boxes anymore I know I can make a better effort in the blog.  I hope all of you are doing well back home, especially since today is the start of the High School football season in Ohio.  I’m going to miss Friday nights at The Pit, working on the Prep Sports Radio Network broadcasts, heading to LaRosa’s on Boudinot for some postgame fellowship and fun.  But don’t worry; the purple is still being worn every Friday to keep that Panther pride going on from over 800 miles away, along with the Bearcats, Reds, and Bengals!  Thank you for your constant love, support and prayers.  It means the world to me and I know that I have so many people pulling for me.  Stay safe and God bless!