Vocation

This week has been interesting. Maundy Thursday was very calming. It was quite a special feeling to read a sermon, to try and internalize the words that were spoken. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to read with Maritt and Nick. I am looking forward to Easter tomorrow!

I feel a sense of purpose and am propelled by the research I am doing on sustainable historic preservation for my thesis. It has been great to take some time off my internship, to turn my phone off, to slow down and write about what I care about. I feel propelled to delve deeper into history, to listen to my friends and advisors at BU around me more intently, but am feeling every precious day slip by as graduation is approaching fast.

This quote from Jane Jacobs’ The Life and Death of Great American Cities (1961) still strikes me every time I read it: “The economic value of new buildings is replaceable in cities. It is replaceable by the spending of more construction money. But the economic value of old buildings is irreplaceable at will. It is created by time. This economic requisite for diversity is a requisite that vital city neighborhoods can only inherit, and then sustain over the years.” I don’t know why, but it makes me emotional as I look around at the rich heritage around Boston, as I think about the demolition that happens across the U.S. and back home in China. I wonder about all that has happened, who the decision makers were, what is inherited to future generations, and what it will mean to take care of the resources we have today.