my last day at univ monastery

Last day at univ monastery today is my last full day here at univ monastery. I arrived here on january 25, so it will have been22 days or just over 3 weeks. That doesnt seem like such a long time, but let me tell ya, being in a monastery in a foreign country, where you can communicate in an almost regular fashion with just one other person, whom i would only see maybe a couple times a day-- one day can seem like a long time. But, in retrospect, time still passed relatively quickly. There was alot of reflection time. But there was always something to break it up- or to look forward to. Like i said, there was maybe 4-5 hours of prayer a day. And then i was usually working another 4 hours a day in laundry. Thus, i didnt even get the opportunity to do all the things i intended in my 'reflection' time in my 'cell'. But the Lord's plans are always better. I have confidence that the Lord had things for me to learn here, and even though they werent hat i was expecting, i did learn alot. For example, i learnt that it is true what we were taught in theology class: the 'monastic' way of life is something that eevery Christian is called to. Although my time at the monastery was extremely conducive to prayer and to trying to hear God's voice, i have a strong sense that i must bring this experience with me wherever i go from now, and that i must continue to foster this for the rest of my life. #2. I learnt , by living, eating, praying, and working with these monks, that they aret superhum.an. They are just ordinary people trying to live out the Christian way of life, in the way that God has called them. These monks, from what i have learnt, come from many different walks of life. The youngest (aspirant) is 18 years old, and the oldest is over 80. They each came here with their own history. Some were married, some came straight from secondary, and some from various carriers. But back in canada, when i may have suggested a possible interest in monasticism, the response, 98% of the time was: what a waste! After spending time at the monastery, i have learnt that this could not be any further from the truth. If anything, i jave discovered the beauty and necessity of such a way of life. We need it!! In canada too!! Very badly!! If anything, in canada, where consumerism and commercialism is off the scales, we need monasticism all the more!!!! So, im not sure if that makes any sense, but thar some of my reflection on monasticism after living here with these dudes for a while. Can you believe it? My university studies actually make sense with the real world. Amazing. Haha. Just kidding; but it is nice to see my studies being confirmed in my experience. Soon, i will be off to Mount Athos. And i may have to delete everything i jave just said (only joking- i hope)