August 1st

On August 1st, I left the novitiate with Sr. Sharon, my director, and Sr. Dong Hong. We went out to lunch, to celebrate our time together in novitiate and our shared journey with Sharon. Then we visited the Lodi central convent, which Dong had never been to before. It was a lovely opportunity for me to see the sisters in Lodi, especially one who had been ill in the recent past. It was nice to see her up and around again. Then the sisters drove me to my family home, where I was on vacation for a week. My mom and I spent a few days in Atlantic City in southern New Jersey, where we went to the beach, the boardwalk, and out to dinner. We watched TV, talked, and just relaxed together by the indoor and outdoor swimming pools. We also, of course, did some gambling, though neither of us are really gamblers. I also had the opportunity to reconnect with some friends in the area over dinner. Too, my dad had a party for me at his house, to which he invited all of our Italian cousins, aunts, and uncles. It was a wonderful gathering, and the love and support of my family really touched my heart.