Thursday, January 29, 2009

writing...about ramblings...among other things...

I started a project just before Christmas...a novel of sorts and I have most of the story mapped out in my head and the first four chapters written, though I keep revising and over editing them and can't seem to move forward until I feel they are what I want the m to be...I haven't done anything with it in nearly 3 weeks, since school started. The thing that is frustrating to me is that I talk myself out of writing at home because I don't have a computer and I won't want to write something I will have to re-type and revise...a frustration, yes, but not a real excuse. Basically, I think I'm afraid to finish because then it would have to be read by someone who would probably not like it...
Anyway, I wish I had a laptop :) that is my main goal right now. I have saved almost $300, I'm not even sure how, especially because I started increasing my church envelope...hmmm...maybe God is multiplying something because I gave to him when I couldn't afford it...
Anyway, another month or two and maybe I will have that computer and also, I will be through the 9th grade Confirmation and have a it more time to write. I enjoy writing. I feel I am fairly good at it, and I definitely think the story I'm telling is something that will resonate with people...


Anyway I also did my taxes today which was a relief..not a tax relief...and emotional one...I filed on the last day of my extension last year, and I rarely get things done on time and to be finished EARLY is a bizarre feeling. I was just going to do the paperwork to see how much I had to scrounge up by April, because I owed $600 last year and that was the reason I extended..then I paid the $600 in November and they sent me back a $600 stimulus...could have saved a dollar on stamps and called it a wash but whatever...so this year I only owed $59 and I paid it right away, and I'm actually getting a $388 refund from the state so that is cool! Its going into my laptop fund...I know I could probably get a Walmart "Acer" laptop already...but I want it to be nice. I'm not really big on things, but I want something that is quality and won't break when it comes to big ticket items. I don't have many, really just my phone and car (which is limping along yet still reliable). When it comes to a computer I just don't want a cheap one. I want to get either a Hewlett Packard or a Mac Air...I'm not sure which yet...I have a while to decide...it'll take me until at least August to save up enough for either...

I went to mass this morning in a small catholic bookstore. My friend and advisor for school, Fr. Brad, was the celebrant. It was able to coincide with a trip for work as we had to go tot he bookstore for the parish library and supplies for the second grade...okay, well they could have mailed it, but we had the field trip instead :) My assistant Susan drove and we had a great time. Fr. Brad gave me a beautiful sterling silver Miraculous Medal and a wooden rosary. His homily was wonderful, he talked about how we use these microscopes on our lives and troubles, getting sidetracked from joy , love and blessings of life by all the little things that aggravate, irk, trouble, and annoy us. He encouraged us to always use a telescope to see the bigger picture of life and unify our small sufferings to the cross of Christ in order to strengthen our resolves to always be positive and joyful with those we encounter. Its great advice and a wonderful perspective I've seem him live out for the past 7 years I have known him...I can do it in fifteen minute intervals when I'm reminded by someone holier than me... so that is my goal..to be positive and joyful and to unify every suffering and aggravation to the cross so I will always be joyful...

I'll let you know how that one works out...

In about an hour I am meeting with a 9th grade boy to talk with him about his faith and see if he wants to be confirmed or not. I'm praying for the right words of encouragement and faith to share with him. He is afraid I'm going to yell at him. I just want him to understand what confirmation means and does for us as Catholics, he is not sure he wants to be catholic. Its a hard decision for a 14 year old to make and he needs a lot of support. I hope it goes well...i got him a few books, with a lot of Q&A about the mysteries of God and beliefs of Catholicism. "Did Adam and Eve have Belly Buttons?" and "Did Jesus Have a Last Name?" They are geared towards Catholic teens questioning their faith.

After that we have a confirmation test review class from 7-8...and after that...I am going home to watch "the office". I hope it is a new episode.

Quote of the day:

"It's a feral barn cat. I trapped it last night and I am giving it to you as a replacement cat for the one I destroyed."

Dwight, to Angela

Friday, January 23, 2009

Michael Scott"s quote of the day....

is:

'Yeah, Ryan snapped at me, But there was this twinkle in his eye that I picked up on, which said, "Dude, we're friends. I'm doing this for appearances. I am the big boss now and I have to seem like an ogre. but you know me, and you trust me, and we like each other, and we'll always be friends, and I would never take you for granted in a millionyears, and I miss you man, and I love you. " His words.'


Just finished my staff retreat, wasn't so bad except for the getting up early part...hahaha but I got to go to mornign mass which was very nice and I have off tomorrow and plan to do a lot of sleeping because I was up until 4:00am and then got up at 6:30 so I'm pretty spent right now...and have a bit of a sugar high fromt he birthday cake :)

Feliz cumpleanos a Girma y Marcia...Feliz Cumpleanos a ti!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Michael Scott and inaguration preseidential stuff

Says, "I've always wanted to be in the witness protection program. Fresh start-no debts, no baggage. I've already got my name picked out. Lord Rupert Everton. I'm a shipping merchant who raises fancy dogs. Thats the life."


I love that show.

I have not had a computer since last Thursday and I missed it :( and I am sick today with sore throat and fever.... :(


I've been stuck on the history channel all week watching all this stuff about past president's and I was very interested in the magnitude and gravitas of it all. But part of me also thinks that we raise men up too much. I wonder what George Washington or Woodrow Wilson were like as children. Maybe they were big bullies...maybe they were amazing, I don't know. I do know that they did great things with their lives and served our country. And I learned a lot about the League of Nations that that I didn't know. Which leads me to believe I slept through Sr. Margaretta's history classes more than I thought I had. Anyway i was learning all these things about president's from historians and they were talking about these MEN like they were gods that they had a personal relationship with. Which in itself was interesting, but I only have that kind of complete fascination when it comes to God himself, and the saints a little too, I confess. But when they would talk about these presidents, I sometimes wanted to shout, "He's just a guy!". I guess I just don't like to think anyone is too wonderful, because then you look up to them...and then you find out that the best of them, who weren't even corrupt...they had syphilis, cheated at poker, and spat a lot. FDR was a great president, and a shady husband. He was inspirational and beloved by many and he was also a power monger elected to FOUR terms...who maybe knew about Pearl Harbor and let it happen...

I don't know, I'm no great political scientist, I just think about things. And I think that what is happening in our country now is said by so many to not be "what the founders would have wanted" Really? Were you having dinner with Adams, Washington and Jefferson and they told you so? Because they were great minds, but who are we to know if they were great people or not? They wanted us to be self reliant with the power to change government, that is the way they set it up. And I feel that the problems that exist within the government are due to the fact that over the last 50 years specifically, as a people lazy of mind and action, we have systematically voted ourselves out of power. The corporations and dirty politicians have taken over, but we are complicit to a point. People believe what they want to believe or become too disheartened to care anymore. Social inertia...Obama may make a difference, who knows, but nothing about that man has stirred any great emotion in me (other than anger about FOCA). He knew how to play up his gifts, say not too much, fly below the radar for long enough, and strike at an ignorant and angry populace. Well plotted...executed extremely well...better than McCain's plan...But is that what we want and need, the cleverest to get elected is the one who leads? I guess its what we have become...

I watched all the pomp on Tuesday and I wasn't too impressed. A million people gathered. (It was falsely reported that this was the largest gathering of people ever...it was later corrected to say, in America. I myself have been part of a crowd of 2.5 million in Toronto for WYD, and WYD always hosts the largest recorded crowds in the history of mankind, there were over 3 million for closing mass in Cologne, Germany and 5 million plus attend the closing mass in Sydney last summer.{* amended-In January 2007, more than 70 million Hindu pilgrims from around the world gathered at Hindu holy city of Prayaga (also known as Allahabad) in India for the Ardh Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious festival and also the world's largest gathering up until that point the Catholic World Youth Day celebrations held every 2-3 years since the 1970s, had recorded the largest gatherings of people* }) I'd never watched an inaugural live before, I probably won't again...he's just a man...with a lot of power because he is very popular. When I saw Pope JPII in Toronto, he also was just a man, but he represented Jesus Christ and celebrated mass for the people...I guess I'm comparing these events because that is the way people are striking me in their devotion and love for Obama. It reminds me of how I feel about the Pope and my faith, and the energy of both crowds are similar. But the reasons for it are very different. If people are putting all of that energy and faith into a mere man, if that is true I find it a little scary. No man should be your god. That whole Messiah thing, well, I hope that theory is wrong. Because if people are expecting that its delusional and bad for everyone. I just pray he doesn't do any damage. That is usually what I pray for for all politicians. I prayed for George Bush everyday, that he end the war and that he not do damage. And for Obama I will pray everyday, for conversion of heart to respect the unborn and to not do damage. Political rant done.

I think because I'm learning so much about St. Paul lately that I've become very idealistic and absolute about things in my mind. His letters are very implicit, loving, reprimanding and powerful. And the more I read and learn and understand him and his letters, the more I realize that the areas of gray in regards to fundamental moral teachings and guidelines, to a Christian, are not up for debate. Living in the socio-economic and moral climate in which we do, its' refreshing to be able to see things through Paul's eyes. Everyday I want to be who God wants me to be, and to do as much good as possible.

That being said, I have a staff retreat tomorrow from 9:30-12:00 preceded by mass at 9:00am and followed by a birthday luncheon for our sexton Girma and our bookkeeper Marcia...and I know I'm not as kind of heart as I should be....and have VERY far to go...because all i can think is...Friday is supposed to be my day off...

I do things things I do not want to do and do not do the things I should...

ah well, I will just go and choose to be happy and 'do it'...because I must do or do not, there is no try...

Thursday, January 15, 2009

started school, read a new book, have a new office quote

So yesterday I started school, and found out that in my 6:30 pm "Letter to the Romans" class, that we will be learning biblical Greek in order to understand the contextual and cultural references from which Paul is writing. It is fascinating. Here is one small example: Rom. 1:1 "Paul, a slave of Christ...called to be and apostle". This can read to us like a standard greeting. But two significant things are contained in this seemingly simple greeting. The first is this: by calling himself a slave he is claiming both the authority and the protection of his master. Something highly noticable and important to the Romans in the way it is put forth. The second is the use of 'called', in our modern translations we add the words 'to be' so that it is grammatically correct and understandable to us. But, directly translated it is simply 'called apostle' which holds much more significance to Paul. To be 'called' something holds a much more absoluteness than our understanding of this reference today. The Greek- Kaleo- to call- denotes a 100% absoluteness of apostleship. His apostleship is called into being by God like the light from the darkness, in Greek this is known as the 'divine passive' use of the term. In light of this a better translation between the words 'called apostle' would be "by God and am" rather than "to be". It seems a small thing, but it changes the intention, perceptions and significance of the letter, right from the first sentence from mere greeting to something holding great cultural depth.

I'm enjoying learning the Greek alphabet and roots, but its going to be difficult. My professor for this class is a genius, Fr. John Boettcher, a Physicist with a doctorate from the Vatican in Scripture. He will expect greatness of mind at 9pm-mid work week...ugghhhh. But I am excited. I have wanted to take a biblical Greek class for some time. I feel like I missed out somehow by never taking Latin. I know little bits and pieces just from prayers, and songs at church, but the roots of the ancient romance languages have always fascinated me. So, anyway I got my Greek workbook yesterday and have set myself to the talk. Dovle- I am a slave to it!

My first professor, Msgr Turro, is very popular and there are nearly 70 of us in that class. he gave great Intro the New Testament Letters by giving us a characterization and history of St. Paul. I won't get into it, but he had us mesmerized for an hour, and then let us go for the day...so instead of a three hour break, i had a six hour break. Being the first day of classes there was not much to do...so I read in the library.

"The Hunger Games"

My Assistant Susan gave me a book called "The Hunger Games" by Suzzane Collins for Christmas. It was great. An easy read, I finished it in one day, but it was a fun read. Basically it is set in the (how far?) future North America in hat was once the United States. The evil Capital divides the country into 12 districts (they destroyed district 13 completely after a revolt) and force each district to send one male and female 'tribute' to the capital each year to compete in the Hunger Games, a fight to the death. Its by no means a new concept, but its done well and the characters come alive and you love the main character and want her to survive and hate the capital as you are meant to. There is some 'big brother' some 'survivor' some 'Island of Dr. Moreau' and some 'The Lottery'. so yeah, if you have an afternoon, read it up :)


Office quote of the day:

"As a farmer, I know that when an animal is sick, sometimes the right thing to do is put it out of its misery. With the electricity we're using to keep Meredith alive, we could power a small fan for two days. You tell me what's unethical."

- Dwight Schrute


And now back to work :) man it is snowing something fierce outdoors today. Its New Egland winter wonderland out there folks!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tuesday, January 13th

A day like any other...except this one is happening right now.

In one hour the 2nd grade will flood into the church to make their First Reconciliation...I don't have time to expound on that the way I would llike, the beauty and innocence of the children, the wealth of grace and mercy int he beauty of the sacrament...it is amazing...and it encourages me greatly.


and now for somethign completely different

Office quote of the day

"Ryan took some of the branch managers and toby into the woods , for a kind of "get to know you" weekend. Michael wasn't invited. Apparently, they already knew everything they needed to know about him."- Pam

I'm running late for the church now so no more procrastinating for me!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

A cold and snowy wind...

A cold and snowy wind is blowing all around me...my office windows are rattling...I want to go home but there is no end in sight...and apparantly I'm on the interent procrastinating...

January 8th Office quote:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some bad news. Meredith was hit by a car....It happened this morning in the parking lot. I took her to the hospital. The doctors tried to save her life, they did the best they could...and she is going to be okay."
Michael Scott

My favorite part of that scene is not in the quote though, when Stanley yells at him and says, "What the HELL is wrong with you?!"

I'm having a long day at work today, I have so much paperwork and projects and planning...(Ski trip for this year leaves on Friday the 13th...makes me wary...and I'm already planning the summer retreat and all the fundraising for it because we are so broke...First Reconciliation next week, Confirmation, First COmmunion and Easter Vigil Sacramental prep, confirmation exam review this weekend...ugggghhhhhh)

Motivational speaker this weekend too and we're calling 280 people to remind/beg them to come...YAY...He's flying in during a mjor snow storm adn I have to go get him and host him all weekend...good times...

More meetings tonite...and then working in the parish library, building the dvd/cd shelves from Ikea, labelling and catalouging endless books, dvds, cds, perodicals..etc...

Then going to the gym and passing out...hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonite because I have a migraine so painful that I haven't slept in three days...and I ran out of excedrin today...and its too cold out to go get more...

On an up note I registered for my classes today and I'm so excited!!!!

It's not interesting to anyone but me I'm sure...but, I am taking

"The New Testament Letters" with the amazing Monsignor Turro who just happens to love me and give me As all the time :) :)

&

"St. Paul's Letter to the Romans" with Fr. Boettcher, who I have never had before.
I hope he doesn't dislike women in seminary classes because I have a 4.0 and I don't want to ruin it....hmmmmm

It makes for along Wednesday. The first class is from 10:30-1:25
and the second is from 6:30- 9:15

I'll have plenty of time at the library on campus in between for homework I guess because its too far to come back and go again.

I was going to take another class (Pneumatology/Evangelization)in between those two, but the professor is really difficult and I was afraid of the workload of three classes and working full time, (and I couldn't afford it because the church stopped paying for my school....) so I'm going to take that class in summer session in June and then I just have my thesis and graduation next December!!!! Any thesis ideas?????

y luego que? and then what...


"After that who cares!"- Mary Bailey


I will be a master of theology, that is all I know...oh except that it is completely and utterly unmarketable....YAY!!!

Monday, January 5, 2009

The Office Season 4

Okay, so I got an amazing gift from my brother Chris of the season four dvd set of the Office...and I can't stop watching it, witht he commentaries adn deleted scenes it slike a wonderful little dvd playground...so i thoguth I would share with you the quote of the day from my office calendar....yes...it was a very office Christmas...


"I think it's great that the company is making a commercial. because not very many people have heard of us. I mean, when i tell people that I work for Dunder Mifflin, they think that we sell mufflers, or muffins, or mittens, or...
And frankly, all of those sound better than paper so, I let it slide." - Jim Halpert

that is all- thank you for tuning in.