Home sweet Home: Charlottesville, VA

I honestly don’t know how to write this post. It’s one I’ve been wanting to write for a few weeks but things got in the way and I don’t think I have words for it. It was definitely a gift from the Lord, and that’s something I’m quite sure of. 

Lately, I have a thing of going back to old journal entries when I’m lost for words. I did it a good part of May, and it’s brought back memories of prayers and thoughts I’ve written down. On March 5, I was writing my usual morning prayer, about my trip to Ireland, and I don’t usually get these random thoughts, but I did that day. I felt like May 17th came to mind. I wrote it down but I totally forgot about it. My friend Cata and I planned a trip for me to see her before she graduated, and it ended up that May 17th was the Friday I would spend in Charlottesville, Virginia. After longing for months for a single Friday at my favorite place, God so kindly orchestrated this knowing my wish, and it was such a gift.

On Wednesday, May 15, I graduated from Columbia, and then on Thursday morning, I headed off to hop on an Amtrak and headed south to Virginia. I can’t explain the relaxation I felt on the train, just heading on the same route I traveled for four years.

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Thursday, May 16, 2024

I got to the train station around 11:45 am. There are fewer trains going from central Virginia to New York City, I feel like, than there used to be. The journey was so so green. I listened to songs I downloaded from Spotify, and a few podcasts. I loved the sermon I Will Go by Reunion Hawaii Church, and of course, I listened to Beautiful Anonymous. A random song came to me: Anchor by Crystalyne. This band broke up years ago and yet their lyrics came to me. The mountains 😍, they have my whole heart. 

I arrived in Charlottesville around 7:40 pm, and my beloved Cata ran to me and hugged me. Two years between this hug and our last one (give or take a few days). It was a whirlwind to be back in my old college town. Everything felt the same and yet so much had changed. 

I didn’t take many photos, but we ended up driving through Chick-fil-A and then headed to the girls’ house. I met all the roomies and learned a lot about everyone. It was so sweet and dear to be near someone I love and hadn’t seen in so long.

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Friday, May 17, 2024

I had a plan for this day. Hit up all my favorite places. (My original plan was to see as many good friends as possible but almost everyone was out of town–😂 funny how plans go). The University of Virginia was ready to go for graduation, despite the many rumors that it looked like it was going to be a wet weekend. 

I had Cata pose for photos by the Rotunda and she’s so cute!

Every place I went, memories rose up within me. Time passed but the memories remain. 

Our first stop was Grit Coffee. I decided to get my usual iced matcha with vanilla. And then we strolled over to a strangely quiet Bodo’s Bagel for breakfast. I got my usual plain bagel with bacon, egg, and cheese. Then we headed to the Study Center, my old workplace but more importantly, my favorite place. Home away from home. After I graduated, they started to do a building expansion, and woah, much had changed.

I hung around Bill’s and Fitz’s office, catching up and asking questions as per usual. We joined in on staff prayer, and I delighted sitting in my favorite green chair. This place marked my life and I’m forever thankful for it.

Around 12, Cata and I headed on a long walk. We went to old dear places and it was just special. And the mountains were just gorgeous. We saw the new library (used to be Alderman, now Shannon) with skylights!!! I discovered the new Contemplative Sciences building that did not exist two years ago with a new accessible bridge.

Highly recommend getting your friends surrounded by flowers. (Actually Cata reminds me of yellow flowers). Then we headed to Roots, a beloved salad place in Cville. I got my favorite–the Mayweather. The Roots website actually lists all the ingredients, so you can make it at home (I’ve done it before).

While we were in the kitchen, a friend I had planned to see but was super busy actually briefly popped in, not knowing I was around. And that was so sweet.

The mailman, who I hadn’t seen in two years, came inside and gave us all, the group who were in the kitchen, a tutorial on mint tea and gave leaves to the Study Center to enjoy. Bill led me on a longer tour than I had in the morning of all the changes since I left. It definitely looks more modern and it is much bigger. The old Study Center (my generation) had a very cozy, homey atmosphere, but this new space is definitely the place to host large gatherings and accommodate as many Christian organizations as possible.

Cata headed home to get ready for choir prep, and I lingered in the Nook of the Study Center to pray and be in silence.

Before I left the Study Center, I grabbed tea for both Cata and I, as is tradition. 

I walked back to the girls’ house the way I used to walk home during my fourth year of college, past all of the Lawn rooms and even bumped into someone I used to see on Fridays at lunch. I saw even more new buildings, and the beauty of Nau Hall, still my favorite building on campus (now no longer the only glass structure with the Contemplative Sciences building).

Fiona (one of the roomies) went to the Graduation Mass, which was cool to celebrate and I even got to meet Cata’s family. (As cool as the Catholic Church is, it doesn’t feel like me.)

We stayed up late laughing and chatting and of course, I had to end our lovely chat together with some prayer. Highly recommend commissioning your friends in prayer, especially if they are going to do missional work.

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Saturday, May 18, 2024

I had an interesting dream for Cata when I woke to say goodbye to my beloved friend. I gave her one last hug before she and one of her other roommates headed to the Lawn to graduate.

I got up to head to Grit and Bodo’s before my long journey home.

I even got to see the “restored” chapel. Yes, technically the chapel is restored to its original color, but it’s not as pretty in my opinion.

At Grit, I tried the wonderful iced strawberry matcha and wrote up an email to another friend, as was our ritual.

And then I headed back to the Stud to say goodbye to the wonderful people who have given me so much. Of course, I completely forgot to get any photos. Fitz’s advice was about having courage and how skeptical he is when it comes to God and dreams. Bill’s advice was to hang in there, which is always good advice.

At the train station, I actually bumped into someone I knew from RUF, another campus ministry at UVA, Jack. 

On the train back home, I played some music. I’ve been loving Liv Douglas lately. One of the lyrics of her song Proud of Me says tasted wine that You’ve poured in my cup and I cried. I don’t think I’ve ever cried leaving Charlottesville. But this time I did. The whole experience was such a gift, and I’m not sure if I’ll return.

I have seen the kindness of God, and it is so sweet to me.

Charlottesville playlist:

• I Won’t Break by Elyssa Smith
• Moonflower by Abbie Gamboa
• Anchor by Crystalyne
• Paper Dolls by Mat Kerkes
• Ashes and Wine by A Fine Frenzy
• What I Know by Parachute
• Proud of Me by Liv Douglas

Signing off,

Gigi