Ali T. - Christian Science Sentinel, Oct. 1, 2007

My mind was churning as I contemplated and planned. What could I do next summer? It was only the fall of my sophomore year at Williams College, but I was already forecasting months ahead of time. I felt that if I was on the ball, I could do anything.

I’ve been told more than once that I over-think. Whether I’m behind the starting block at a swim meet or planning my major field of study, my mind is usually running like a faucet—and it can be hard to shut it off.

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by Patrick Bonsi

Hello!

Everyone, I am Patrick Bonsi and I just started an internship with TMC Youth and The Christian Science Monitor. I always love taking on new experiences—from, from traveling half way round the world for school, to going to spending a great summer with children at camp. As a junior in college I knew that at some point I would have to do an internship, and I was ready to embrace the adventure.

Moving into the Asher house here in Boston was quite a memorable experience. I felt very included from the beginning, from helping my roommates move furniture to going out for dinner with them my roommates on my first day at the house.

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by Estey Masten

Hi! I’m Estey (or Esperanza when I speak Spanish), and I’m the new TMC Youth blogger in town. I have volunteered to blog for many reasons, but the two most important ones are these: 1) I love connecting with other citizens of the world, and this blog is a perfect way to do it! 2) This is a great way for me to think introspectively about myself and realize where I need to go up higher and align myself with divine purpose.

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Roger Gordon – The Christian Science Journal, Dec. 2006

I was thrilled. I had been admitted to college at one of the top theater schools in the United States, in the conservatory’s most competitive year ever.

Freshman year I took theater classes all day long with the same group of 15 students. The program was designed so we would get to know each other intimately, and we formed a very tight knit ensemble together. In our classes and outside of them, we laughed, cried, mourned, and celebrated life together.

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Adapted from the Christian Science Sentinel, May 21, 2007.

February 1995. New Hampshire state championships, cross-country skiing.

After four miles of racing neck-and-neck through forested hills and wind-swept ravines, my rival and I entered the final homestretch. She sped ahead on the last turn. I faltered. And then it was over. Three irretrievable seconds would forever stand between me and the high-school title. I kneeled in the snow, hot tears flowing down my numb cheeks.

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by Tyler Maltbie

The last my Bible Lesson of the year has been edited, I’ve sat through my final Bible scholar meeting, and now my four weeks are up. I’ve contributed quite a bit to the my Bible Lesson product and have enjoyed seeing a product develop from beginning to end.

Among the numerous jobs and activities I was involved in I most enjoyed the editing work I did for my Bible Lesson. Many people put a lot of thought and time into developing and designing the extra features in each Lesson. Being able to review and refine these features, as well as suggest new ideas was valuable and rewarding. It will be exciting to see the work I’ve done arrive on the web for distribution! I am glad to know the writing, editing, and organizational skills I’ve developed during high school and college have not been for nothing. I’m now more prepared for the work force than I thought I would be at this point.

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by Tyler Maltbie

I’m Tyler Maltbie, and for an all too brief four weeks and two days this winter, I am working as a publishing production intern in the Bible Lesson Products Department of the Publishing Society. I’m back home here in Boston where I’ve temporarily traded in my backpack and mountain bike for a brown bag lunch and an hour-long commute. I’m making the most of my last winter break from Principia College.

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by Miranda Miller

I have grown quite fond of this big town they call Boston. Every aspect of my experience here-this internship, new friendships, city life, spiritual growth-has become very rich over these couple of months. I have to admit, when I first arrived after having spent a year living near the charming city of Chicago, I was a little skeptical. But the more I looked around me, the more I began to notice how much Boston has to offer.

It’s as if there’s this giant reflecting pool, full of opportunities to get outside of myself and grow into a new realm of understanding, but it’s up to me to decide if I want to just walk on by, dip my toe in, or jump right in. Fortunately, unlike the reflecting pool outside my office window on The Mother Church plaza, there aren’t any “No Swimming” signs or security guards at my pool-it’s fair game!

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Erin Deyerle – Adapted from the Christian Science Sentinel, April 2, 2007

Was it too late in the game? Shortly before graduating from college with an English degree, I decided I wanted to be a teacher. But without the proper education courses, I would have to take the complicated steps of getting a provisional state teaching license and then completing graduate courses and teaching requirements.

I found myself envying people who’d already mapped out their careers and were on their way. Why can’t I just feel settled like them? I thought to myself.

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by Evan Mehlenbacher

Does a fast food cashier earning $14,000 a year have as much worth as a software programmer earning $150,000? In light of the huge disparities that exist between high and low earners these days, it’s a healthy question to ask. When pressed, most people would agree that the fast food worker and the programmer are equally important human beings, but sometimes we lose sight of this basic premise.

I believe the worth of a person can’t be measured materially, in terms of salary, position or prestige. It’s spirituality lived and expressed that gives life meaning and purpose. And any of us can have a spiritually rich life regardless of how much money we earn.

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