It's done. I'm officially's a Master (of what, that's up in the air!!)

Well, it's done. My year in New York is over. Today I took part in the 254th Commencement of Columbia University and President Bollinger has granted me my degree. I can say that today is the day that I am officially in debt!!!
In all seriousness, I am deeply honored and humbled to have had an opportunity to get one of the best graduate educations in the country. I feel like I now have an immense responsibility to give back to my community and school for receiving such a degree.
I am saddened to be leaving the realm of constant intellectual stimulation and challenges. The growth I have had as a person and as an educator is unparalleled. I will miss the friends I have made as I will not see them on a day to day basis in class and outside of class and the myriad discussions I've had with them. At the same time though, I have a bond with them knowing that if I ever needed anything, both professionally and personally, they will be there for me.
I will also miss the city. I never thought I would utter those words, yet the city has grown on me. The city is great and living here trumped every stereotype I had of it going into this year.
I've been blessed with having the privilege of hearing Tim Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian. I visited every major museum, attended 13 Broadway shows, ate at some amazing restaurants, oh and studied my brains out!!
All in all, it was a great year to get re-energized for going back to work. It was much needed. I can't wait for Friday when I get in a truck and come back to the Tar Heel state to friends and family. Thanks to all who kept up with me through this blog. Your thoughts and prayers were felt everyday.

Drawing to a close

I am entering my final week of classes and I can't believe that my year is drawing to a close in a matter of days. Graduation is on the 20th and I once again get to don the cap and gown and walk across the stage to receive a diploma. Of the three times I've had to do this, I think I can say that this one may mean the most. I think I say that, because I feel like I actually am mature enough to understand the implications of my degree and the importance of learning. Don't get me wrong, nothing will ever top the experience I had at Carolina as those were definitely the best days of my life, but this year made me realize that I can achieve with the best in the nation in the independent school world. Everyday I walked into class thinking what I was doing here and whether I could handle being in a class full of brilliant people who I hold in high regard. At the end of the day come May 12th, I think that I will be able to say, yes I do and did belong at this school. Actually I'm sure of it.
I will never forget my experience here, as the experience has helped to further shape who I am as a person and especially as an educator. All along, I've known that education is where I was supposed to be and this year further confirmed that. There is something about impacting students that drives me to pursue this career. Education is a special field that all too often goes unrecognized by our society. I hope that in my life I'm able to help people recognize the importance of education and how important our jobs as educators is. If we take James (James 3:1) seriously, then we as educators have great responsibility in teaching because we are held to the highest standard and will judged more harshly. I hope and pray that more and more educators all over the nation can hold on to these words and do eveything they can to advance this great profession.
As I get ready to take my finals and turn in my last papers, I wanted to thank you all for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I can't wait to see everyone again. Okay, now it's back to writing more papers!! Peace and Love.--JLM

Long overdue!!

Friends and family,

I apologize for not posting anything for the past two months! I have been quite slack in this part of my life for that I'm sorry. Not writing that last two months doesn't mean that exciting things haven't happened since my last posting. So I will try to do my best in recalling the last two months for you all.
After my last posting, I came home fore Spring Break and was able to relax for a week staying with friends in Raleigh as well as with family in Burlington. The time flew by, but it was great to go back to St. David's and see close friends and students in the midst of their normal school day. I was blessed enough to give the chapel talk at school, which is always exciting. I spoke on the need for intentional community and how I was able to experience it first hand this year in New York.
I returned to New York after spring break only to come back and be hit with a final exam! Luckily, it wasn't too difficult. I made it through midterms and had a few free days in April where I was able to further explore the city, visiting the Lower East Side and the Village, which are very neat places to go and people watch as well as eat great food! I made it to a few more plays and continued my bike rides around the city.
A couple of weeks after my break, I took three days off to meet the eighth graders from St. David's on their DC trip. It was my first time on an American train, which you have time when traveling, I highly recommend it. It's fascinating seeing the beauty of the landscape and different cities you pass through. My time with them was grand. I was so glad I was able to spend a little time with the grade that I left in August to pursue this degree. The kids were great and the trip was exceptional as always. I did get a chance to see Senator Dole and the first dog in the White House much to the disappointment of my dear friend Neville! (She never gets to see important people on these trips and I always seem to be at the right place at the right time!)

SPRING IN THE PARK

Just as NC is beautiful in April with the azaleas and dogwoods blooming, and DC is gorgeous with numerous cherry blossoms surrounding the basin at this time, Central Park in spring ranks right up there. I was able to spend a Friday and take pictures of the flowers and trees blooming in this monstrous metropolis. I could've spent all day there going around the park, taking pictures of the different flowers and trees. So if you ever visit the city, mid-April is a great time to come and visit. I've included some pictures I took on this outing.

Discussion and Dialogue. Can it happen?

So this past week, I went to a showing of a film called Purple State of Mind. It is a documentary about two friends who talk about their differences in belief and views about the country, life, and God. Both were college roommates at Davidson and both believers in the Christian faith. One kept his faith through the years while the other lost it.

The documentary chronicles four intense conversations over the course of a year in different parts of the country. The conversations they have are exactly what this country needs. Dialogue and discussion among Christians and non-Christians. Being ever more divided over ideals and beliefs in this country, the film aims to start the discussion between the polarizing sides and shows that it is possible to have healthy discussions with people who have conflicting beliefs.

After much pondering this week after watching the film, I've come to the realization that our country is hungry for discussions like this. Discussions that not only challenge our beliefs, but also help us to understand opposing views.

The more I read the gospels of Christ, the more I realize that Christ was not red or blue when it comes to politics, neither was he one who ostracized people for not believing in Him. In fact, Christ sought those who didn't know him by loving them, and can it be, talking with them. He sought the outliers, sinners, like me.

If you have an opportunity, check out the website www.purplestateofmind.com and become part of the discussion. It's needed. More than ever, it's needed. We (six Christians in my program, myself included) are planning on showing the film in the coming weeks for all who are interested in starting a discussion in our program. Should be very interesting.

I have more thoughts on the matter, but those are left for my personal journal, and individual conversations, not blogs.
Much Love and Blessings,
JLM

New found Hobby

So I've had a road bike back home in Raleigh for the past two years and have always wanted to start biking on a regular basis. Having coached almost every weekend, getting on the bike was a hard thing to do.
This past fall, my suitemate, an avid road biker, was trying to convince me to bring my bike up to the city and ride. He would always say that there is nothing like going through the city on two wheels. I thought that this guy was crazy. I mean riding a bike through the streets of New York seemed like suicide. The amount of cars would scare one enough not to mount a bike and ride.
After constant badgering by Brian, my suitemate, I thought of bringing my bike to the city. He had convinced me that I had to ride up here. So after buying some warm riding clothes and a bike case. I shipped my bike up, got it tuned up and set out on the streets of New York.
What a rush! Brian was right. There is nothing like riding a bike through the city. Having the cars zip by you may scare some, and I thought it would scare me, but in fact, I was filled with adrenaline riding on Broadway. Don't get me wrong, I am petrified when I'm riding, but it is that fear which keeps my senses on alert. I can see sharper, react quicker, and even smell better when riding in the streets. While the streets are fun to ride on, I do try to stay off of them as much as I can, preferring to ride in Central and Riverside parks. Riding in Central Park is great. It's been a great work out as it is filled with rolling hills. If you think the park is flat, guess again.
Just today, I decided to ride along the Hudson river. What a view and a ride. As I rode along the side of the river, I could see the piers, new and old, that once drove the city's economy. Taking a look to my left I could see the skyline of buildings zipping by me. Then just as I am heading towards the south end of the island, Battery Park, I spot Lady Liberty with her arm straight up holding her torch welcoming all into this country. Chills ran through me as it was the first time to catch a glimpse of the statue other than from an airplane.
So if you ever want a hobby to take up, buy a road bike and become one with the road. You will not regret it. (And the picture is not of me!)

Long Winter Break

My fall semester to say the least was one that was filled many things as you all have read in the previous entries. I can honestly say that this past fall was one of the more fulfilling semesters in my educational life. I actually felt that the material I was learning was not seeping in for understanding but it was also information that I hope to be using on a regular basis at school.
Having a month off was almost too much time off, but it was great to have. I had plenty of time to rest and catch up on sleep, enjoying the slower pace of the south. I was able to see many friends and family which refueled my tank for the coming semester. The one thing I didn't enjoy was all the driving. Having accustomed myself to public transportation, getting in a car and driving, although exhilarating, was not much fun after the novelty went away. I think that it was more buying gas and putting up with traffic. It sounds a bit silly since I just finished a fall in a city with the worst traffic. I guess there is some order the madness in the city where it didn't feel that in the south.
Anyway, classes have begun and the grind of studying is back. Oh to have my month back!! Just kidding. This semester seems like that classes will be more practical in nature as to last semester which was more theoretical. Most of the classes are business in scope, learning the ins and outs about running a school.
Enjoy the Super Bowl and those Carolina games. I can't wait for this coming Wednesday when we face the Dookies!

Winter Wonder Land!

I never thought that New York in the winter time would be so beautiful. I think that I have found a new time to come up to the city and visit. Yes, fall is a great time to come as the leaves change and a pair of jeans and t-shirt feels great. Not too hot or cold.
Oh but does one miss out when it turns bitter cold! If you can brave the cold, then I suggest making a trip out to New York. Especially during the holiday season. The city feels like it completely changes. The lights go up, and the windows are all dressed up for the shopping season. Last Monday, I witnessed the lighting of the tree at the Lincoln Center and it was spectacular. Not as grand as the Rockefeller tree, but fantastic nonetheless. Short performances of what was playing at the Lincoln were performed on the terraces of the Lincoln Center buildings. I can say that I saw the Nutcracker at the Met. Okay, not the whole thing, but at least two dances from it. It was cool. After the lighting of the tree, the party moved to the Upper West Side where vendors were and music was playing until 9 that evening.
On the grander scale as I mentioned earlier, was the lighting of the Rockefeller tree at the Rockefeller Center. I'm sure that you all tuned in and watched it on the tube as I wish I had for the hoards of people that filled the center and the surrounding streets was almost impossible to deal with, but we managed to squeeze into a spot across from the center right in front of Saks 5th Ave. The locations was great. It was prime for watching the tree get lit, but that was about it. The show that you all saw on tv, I missed. I wouldn't have traded it in for anything. It was awesome to have said that I saw the lighting of the Rockefeller tree. In person, the tree was gigantic. I think it reached a height of 100 feet. So if those aren't reasons enough to come up and enjoy the city during this time, how about this one, Snow.
We had our first snow of the season this past Sunday. I woke up to streets and buildings covered in the white fluffy stuff that oh so much better than rain. After church, I decided to walk through Central Park and see the park in white. This was a winter wonderland. No cars passed through, all the streets were covered in snow. I couldn't believe that there were die-hard runners and bikers out exercising in the snow, but there were. All I can say is that it was beautiful. I posted one of my favorite pictures I've taken thus far while here, I hope you all like it. Once you see it, you'll know why it's one of my favorites.
So I have a little more than two weeks left in my semester. I can't believe how fast it has gone by. I have learned so much here. Not only about education, but about myself. I can't wait to share some amazing stories of what the Lord has allowed me to do here.
Anyway, so I remember this time as a teacher telling my students that it is time to finish strong as exams are right around the corner. Oh, how the tables have turned as I am on the receiving end of those comments that I am so used to saying to my student. Finish Strong Joey. Well, I intend to. I'll finish strong up until I get on the plane to come back home on the 20th.
May each one of you have a blessed and Merry Christmas this year. Thanks for staying up to date with my adventures here in the city.