Hold Me Like Holy Water

This weekend was absolutely amaaaazing. The Sisters of Life arrived on Wednesday night and left Saturday afternoon. On Wednesday, the officers for the Duhawks for Life, along with Rusty, went out for dinner with the sisters when they arrived. We went out for Chinese. When we suggested Chinese food, Sister Antoniana was like "Oh! I had been praying for Chinese!" It was quite funny. So we drove downtown to Yen Ching. While we were walking to the restaurant, the pedestrian walk light was red, but there were no cars. All of us stopped to wait for the green, and the sisters laughed at us, because they had never seen anyone stop at a light, much less one where there wasn't a car in sight! I personally do not know why I stopped, as I am used to running across the streets of Chicago, but whatever. It was cute. When we got to Yen Ching, we introduced ourselves to the owner as students from Loras who know "Father John". He's like "Ah yes! Pope John!" and laughed at himself. He was very funny. The entire restaurant was on stand-still when the three habited sisters walked in, and it was wonderful. We had a delicious dinner, and came back to Loras for Wednesday night Mass. After Mass we had a social with cookies and watered-down lemonade and everyone got to experience just how amazing these sisters really are. I don't think I stopped laughing. :) Then on Thursday morning we had Morning Prayer with the sisters, and they left to have breakfast with the President and Father. So Rusty and I did our holy hour, and Annie came with two students from Illinois State/Illinois Wesleyan (I met one of the girls a few weeks back when I visited Annie, and the other one goes to vocation camp with me in the summertime!). After meeting up with them, then we found the sisters for the brown bag lunch. We got kicked out of our room by the Administration folks who needed the room (it really was no problem...), so we had to eat in Campus Ministry. The lunch went really well. There were a lot of good questions, and the sisters had amazing answers for everything. They are so holy and good, and it was wonderful to just sit and be able to listen to them sharing their wisdom and knowledge with us. I love to listen to holy people speak - just the beauty of their words is enough to make you absolutely fall in love with Christ and His Church. Thursday afternoon the sisters had a table set up in the concourse and we watched the musci video from MTV entitled, "Can I Live?" It was absolutely bone-chilling. I had goosebumps watching it - it was so very real. I think it's amazing that this rapper can use his popularity and whatnot to preach truth (even though he doesn't realize it...he is!) - it was really something. I would strongly urge you to look into it. Then we had Mass, and dinner with the Illinois State/Illinois Wesleyan girls. Sister Immaculata told us her story - she's so amazing! :) Then we went to the presentation that Sister Mary Gabriel gave. Gosh, it was awesome. The way she explained the dignity and worth of the human person was so beautiful and passionate. I don't know how anyone could listen and choose to remain a part of the culture of death. It was just too captivating. Then we had a Eucharistic Holy Hour for Life that Sister Immaculata and Sister Antoniana led, and it was beautiful. Their prayers were straight from their hearts, and you could tell that they loved Jesus with everything they are. It was probably one of the best holy hour experiences I have ever had. On Friday, I had breakfast with the sisters. We shot grapefruit juice at each other (ah...Nashville), and discussed the article in the school newspaper about how pro-lifers are hateful people. It was a good breakfast - both intellectually stimulating and fun. Then we went to Rusty's class and Sister Mary Gabriel gave an amazing explanation of why life is always to be respected and why we cannot ever look at life from an economic or convience-oriented viewpoint. The students asked some good questions, and it was really interesting. The presentation given afterwards was dreadful, so it is good that Sister was there to shed some of God's light and truth on those students that day. Then we went down to the grotto to pray the Angelus and a decade of the rosary. After that, we decided to go to my apartment so that they could see where I live (and I could show off my POD room, of course) :), so off we went. Sister Immaculata and Sister Antoniana signed our quote board/signature wall. They wrote the most beautiful and inspiring quotes. We will treasure them always. Then we went for lunch, and chatted about the difficulties that ensued in getting them to campus (especially in regards to certain professors and whatnot). Sister Immaculata and Sister Antoniana commended Rusty and I for our efforts and reminded us to never give up even though our efforts may seem in vain, because when our work is for God, He will always bless what we do, no matter how feeble it may seem. Their words were very wise and motivational. Then we went on a tour of the campus and just happened to run across the very professors that we had been discussing. Sometimes God's sense of humor is too much for me. It was actually quite providential that the sisters were able to stop by that particular department because it was quite an opportunity for them to prove how good they truly are - Sister Immaculata was discussing philosophy like the best of 'em with one of the profs. Go Sister! We informed her later that the professor she was speaking with was probably one of the most controversial Catholics on campus. She totally handled the situation like the rockstar that she is, though, with peace, joy and grace. A-maa-zing. We had cake and cider and discussed wonderful things, then left to continue our campus tour. Later we went to Mass, then I began setting up for the discussion night at the K-House. Sister Immaculata led a really impressive guided discussion on the dignity and vocation of women based on JP2's "Mulieris Dignitatem". I was really impressed with how some of the guys in the group articulated their emotions and ideas about women. I am so blessed with holy guy friends. The guys were all saying how they see women as an image of Mary, and when women mistreat their bodies by being suggestive and lewd it saddens them because they want good, holy women who have respect for themselves and the God who made them beautiful. It was awesome to hear that. I mean, the guys I know live these ideas well - they are very respectful of women. But I never hear them actually discuss it. So, it was beautiful. And the way the women were expressing their feelings was wonderful too. Basically we were discussing the long and short of Catholic sexual teaching and Theology of the Body without having read and studied it. And so...we are planning to start up a Theology of the Body group which will discuss these ideas and teachings in depth according to the text. Yay! Then we surprised the sisters by kidnapping them and taking them to Cold Stone Creamery to get ice cream. They were so excited that they jumped up and down. It was priceless. It took a long time for them to decide on a flavor, and once we were served we went outside (even though it was freezing) to eat. It was great. We laughed and danced and sang "Lean On Me" and joked around, and it was probably one of the best nights EVER. :) When we got back, Sister Mary Gabriel even said "This is the most fun I've had since I entered!" Heh. That's how I felt too - only, in my terms, of course. It was the most fun I'd had in a loong time. They were sooo good and fun and holy!! It was just like the great times we have at vocation camp in the summer. Then Saturday morning Father said Mass, and we went out for breakfast, which was a lot of fun. Sister Mary Gabriel told Cardinal O'Connor stories, and we laughed and talked a lot. Then we went to the Cathedral and Father gave a tour, complete with a brief organ recital (which was awesome), and a visit to the reliquary hall. Yay. We saw the graves of the archbishops of the past, and Father gave the sisters his blessing. Then we tied up loose ends, and they left. :( I miss them dearly. They were an amazing presence on this campus, and the joy they brought is greatly missed. We are so grateful for the four days we were able to spend with them - how blessed some people are, who spend each day with such beauty, holiness and grace.

God bless those sisters - what a blessing they are. :)

I'm out- this is wayyy too long, but I couldn't bear leave any of it out!

Caritas et veritas.

Librarian 70% Tastefulness, 36% Originality, 38% Deliberateness, 36% Sexiness

[Tasteful Conventional Random Prissy] You don't pay too much attention to fashion and far be it from you to spend hours on designing outfits which could shock your friends. If you ever shock them it's by how little you care about the clothes you're wearing. The only thing you pay attention to is not to look ridiculous. You don't need to draw attention wherever you come but you definitely need to know you are not the object of jokes. You are happy to blend in. I'm sure this approach leaves you a lot of time and energy for more interesting things than fashion.

The Sisters of Life are here and it is amazing. So many people have come up to me and said "Angela. They. Are. Amaaaazing!!". Having them here is such a grace- they are so filled with Truth and the love of God and are so excited to share His mercy and grace with EVERYONE. It is so beautiful. Just what this campus needs - some real testimony to Truth and the power it has to change hearts and minds. Today they had a brown bag lunch (which is just an informal session which allows question/answer or informal discussion over lunch), and the questions which came about were really great. People are so hungry for Truth. I was impressed with both the questions which came about and the answers the sisters gave. They are so intelligent. It was great. And then we had a presentation tonight which went extremely well. My favorite quote was by C.S. Lewis which Sister read...I'll paraphrase it..."Following the Blessed Sacrament, the person sitting next to you is the holiest thing you'll encounter on this earth" (or something like that). It was striking, anyway. And she really was awesome at expressing the intrinsic value and worth and dignity of each person, and drove home that each person is created in the image and likeness of God, despite any condition, situation, etc. We are all precious because we reflect the face of God. Wow. :) Then we had a Eucharistic Holy Hour for Life which pretty much was the most amazing holy hour I've been to in a while. Two of the sisters led the meditation part of it, with a few Scripture passages, and a prayer, and a sung response. We sang my favorite response - I first heard it on last Holy Thursday. It is AMAZING. It is "Stay with Me. Remain with Me. Watch and pray. Watch and pray." I think it is beautiful. Anyway, tomorrow is yet ANOTHER day filled with incredible GRACES. God is so good!!

One of the priests on campus came to the presentation tonight. Afterwards I went up to him to ask him what he thought of it:
Me: Father, what did you think?
Father: Oh, it was good. She is very charismatic - keeps your attention.
Me: I remember a lot of it from your philosophy class.
Father: Ah, yes. But they presented it a lot more interesting than I did.
Me: Ah, I don't know.
Father: Yes, well, they are intelligent, attractive, and joy-filled. That is the Gospel!
Me: You bet it is!
Father: You know, it's very much like you.
Me: Oh Father! I don't know about that!! ::blushing::

(side note: When this priest says "attractive" he's not referring to physical beauty, but the fact that they draw people unto them by their very presence and demeanor...just to clarify if there was any jaw-dropping going on...)

What a compliment!! He's soo holy - it totally throws me off when he compliments me, because to me, he's like, a walking saint. I do hope he's right (on a fractional level - I know he's not dead-on...I'm not that humble, but I'm not about to believe him either!). I would love to be seen as intelligent, attractive and joy-filled. I think that is perfectly Dominican. :)

Anyway, I'll update more later - I need to get to bed soon.

Caritas et veritas! (which, by the way, is on my voice mail, and Sister got REALLY excited about it! :) Hehe... )

I'm going to try to concentrate whilst the flatmates are in the other room attempting to memorize the dance from N'Sync's "Bye Bye Bye". Don't ask. But it's kind of normal for around here. We had to pause the Mary-Kate and Ashley video in order to concentrate on N'Sync. Too bad the Mary-Kate and Ashley Fan Club line wasn't answering tonight...we could have really entered a new level of nerd-dom.

So this past weekend was GREAT. I went home on Thursday night to hang out with my family. Yay. My brother and I bonded over buying a birthday present for his girlfriend. Very cute. Then Friday morning my dad and I went to Mass together (!!!) and then to breakfast. We even ordered the same thing: the pumpkin pancakes special. :) Yum. It was quite the bonding time. Then I worked on my 10-12 page Ethics paper (which I finished by the end of the day!). That night I went to see my brother play football, which was really great. He's such a rock star, despite his injuries. He only played until halftime, because something in his ankle got jarred (he has to have x-rays tomorrow...), but they still won 58-0. What up now, Jefferson?! :) Saturday was awesome. My cousin Donna and I went shopping and out for lunch, which we've never done. Her kids (who are in junior high and high school...I love big families...my oldest cousin is the same age as my youngest aunt) were helping my dad cut down a tree, so we had time to bond. Then we had a baking fest, which was fun, despite the fact that my biscotti was shunned for its hardness (you dip it in hot beverages!). Oy. Then we carved pumpkins (there were seriously 10 of us gathered around the kitchen table carving pumpkins). :) Brian and Colette got into a pumpkin guts fight and Colette ended up with plenty in her nice, long hair. Gross. Then we watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and pretty much fell asleep after the long day of playing, cooking, eating and having fun. It was a great day. I love family.

So something amazing that I've been watching has been the deepening of my family's faiths. This summer when my parent's had a pretty big tiff going, I went to the perpetual adoration chapel and prayed the full 20-decade rosary. Then, for their 25th anniversary (3 months later) they went to a rosary walk and prayed a rosary together (which I can't remember them ever doing in all my 20 years...). Yay. And recently my mom and I went to a daily Mass together...and Friday my dad and I went to daily Mass together...it's just amazing to watch this!! Go God! :)

It's Peace with Justice week here at school, and it's pretty great. We've got a lot of amazing events going on. And Duhawks for Life (which I am president of!) has teamed up with P&J for one of the presentations that the Sisters of Life will be giving, and I am uber-excited about it! And so is Sister Mary Gabriel, who I talked with today! I can't wait until they're here - it's just a matter of hours now, and that's AWESOME! :)

We set up the Cemetery of the Innocents this past Sunday morning, and already I've received my first message of opposition. I was expecting it, so it doesn't bother me much, other than the fact that people don't get it. This particular gal stated that she is pro-choice because it's only right since so many women died from illegal abortions. Um, yeah. According to the statistical evidence I've encountered, a whopping 39 died from illegal abortions in 1972. Compare that to 4,000 babies dying from legalized abortion per day. If you still think you've got a leg to stand on, well, I've got news for you. The greatest thing has been Mother Teresa's statement, "We are called upon not to be successful but to be faithful." It's like, I can screw up and piss people off and feel like a complete failure...but as long as I remain faithful and keep true to the Truth, then I am doing the will of God, which is most important. It's like Acts 20:24, one of my favorite Bible verses, "Yet I consider my life no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God's grace." Yeah! I hope I can do just that. I really, really do.
And if that fails, you can always meditate on this one: Nill Illigitimi Carborundum. Heh.

Or this, which is probably more in line with God's will:
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
--Mother Teresa
(Thank you Maurice!!)

Off to bed - I can't keep hitting up Saint Vitus to protect me from oversleeping if I don't go to bed at a prudent hour!

Caritas et veritas!

Recently discovered:

No participation: A-
Participation in favor of the teacher's opinion= B+
Participation in opposition to the teacher's opinion=C+

Guess where I am?

Yes, that's right. We get participation points, but how can that be true when those who participate in class (but actually are challenging...which is still participation!) receive a lower grade than those who do not participate at all, or participate in a way which is pleasing to the professor. That is what I call unjust treatment (in my nice words) and will not be tolerated.

I called my mom about it last night. The conversation went like this:
Me: Hey Mom. Remember that teacher I have that I don't like?
Mom: Yeah.
Me: She gave me a C+ for my midterm grade. I've never gotten a C in my life. I can't believe this. Ugh!
Mom: Do you want me to come kick her a**? I'll be there in a few minutes. (we live two hours away!)
Me: Um, no. I think I'll handle this.
Mom: Ok. You let me know though, ok?
Me: Ok, Mom.
Mom: Yeah, well, sometimes, times are difficult. That is, they're difficult until everyone realizes that our way is always the right way!
Me: Haha...yep!
Mom: Ok, well, you call me when you get that grade changed to an A. Or if you need me to come up there and take care of her.
Me: You got it. Thanks Mom.

My mom is the best! (And for those of you who only know me over cyberspace...I'm VERY much like her...if you can't tell just from that...we're both stubborn Polish gals. :) Heh.)

I am currently over-dosing on apple. There is something about Autumn that makes me yearn for apple-flavored anything. So here I sit drinking apple cinnamon tea and eating apple oatmeal. And yes, it is nearly midnight. I have no method to my madness at times. Oh, and I'm watching "Gone With the Wind" (which is totally unrelated...but I LOVE this movie!).

In new news (at least, to me), the diocese has a dispensation to use glass vessels for Mass. Which means that the vessels that I loathe are actually acceptable. Argh. I guess I can continue encouraging the use of gold, but can forget about expecting anything wonderful. :(

So tomorrow begins our Fall Break (which we call Tri-College, since there are three colleges in Dubuque that all get the day off). So, I probably won't post until Sunday night, when I'm back at school.

ONE WEEK UNTIL THE SISTERS OF LIFE COME!!! AAH!! :)

Caritas et veritas.

So this morning during my holy hour I was reading Evangelium Vitae and came across this fist-pumping statement by our beloved JP2:

"Given such a grave situation, we need now more than ever to have the courage to look the truth in the eye and to call things by their proper name, without yielding to compromises or to the temptation of self-deception. In this regard the Prophet is extremely straightforward: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness" (Is 5:20)."

Now, this has never really been something I've had a problem with. I am the same girl who, when offended by Jesus Christ Superstar this summer yelled "Heretics!" and walked out. So, naturally, the idea of "calling things by their proper name" is quite attractive to me.

As such, I have decided to create the t-shirt below. It was inspired by class today, where we discussed a heretical viewpoint of the Catholic Church's moral teaching on sex. It was presented as "another" way to look at the information presented in Humane Vitae, and, as such, should be discussed for its value. Now, I see the purpose of discussing heresy - I do not think we should turn a blind eye to it - however, in such cases when the heresy is presented as having a morsel of truth, well, I have a problem with that.

My favorite argument from the piece we studied was that "sterilization is acceptable, as it is natural for the body to become sterile with age." Ah yes. Just help the inevitable along. How noble of you. While you're at it, I fear that it is inevitable that I will die. So, please kill me. Or maybe I'll just take the liberty to do it myself. It is, after all, inevitable, yes? Or, if you think me obscenely disproportionate, take this example. It is inevitable that, given your family history, you will go bald. Shave your head. Or go blind. Gouge out your eyes. Or deaf. Damage your inner ear. Or maybe it is inevitable that one day you will be hit by a car (yes, you have the gift of prophecy). So why not just run in front of one? It is, after all, only natural to act upon the inevitable.

It is a weak weak weak argument. With weak weak weak logic.

And, when I called it out, the professor said, "Now, Angela. Maybe you should have a little more respect for her points." To which I shook my head and turned away. She responded "...or not. That's fine too."

You're darn right it's fine! It's more than fine! It's only correct! What respect am I to muster for heresy? Am I to humble myself before Arius? Or Luther? Or Calvin? I think not.

Anyway, I quieted down, and class resumed as usual (with little to no participation/learning involved), and she made the point that sex is "a biological function", there is no point in fudging with the sexual act, just as those who have lost their teeth fudge with false teeth, or those who have lost their hearing fudge with hearing aids.

I kid you not. That was her point.

Rusty attacked that one, saying that it is ridiculous to degrade the act of sex into a matter of false teeth and hearing aids. It was met with disagreement, saying that "sex really is biological, just as the act of birthing a chid is."

I uttered a comment to myself which will not be repeated, and put my head down on my desk.

And hence: the t-shirts. I say we get one for every member of the class. Hell, why not get one for everyone in the school?

Blimey.

Well, promised post is further postponed. Time got away from me today.

And yes, Victoria was right about the other funny quote. It had to do with a young man who was wearing a tie and Rusty. Rusty was like "Nice knot. You know, the wider the knot, the more liberal you are." The kid nearly choked himself tightening it. :)

And, brought to you by your current National Catholic Distorter, we have the true church. Thank God we finally got this all figured out. At long last, we can discover truth.
Barf.

More later on a certain topic currently brewing in my little cauldron here...it'll be good, I promise.

TWO WEEKS UNTIL THE SISTERS OF LIFE ARE HERE!!

I must get to sleep now, though. I love my new alarm clock to dearly to be angry at it in the morning. :)

Caritas et veritas.

Not much time to post - I promise tomorrow I will have something substantial.

But for today, I have two good quotes. I would have three, but I have a bad memory. All I can remember is that there was a funny quote. So, one, two, three...laugh. Ok, now that we got that out of the way, quote #1:
This morning, in the chapel, it was absolutely freezing. It's so difficult to pray when you're shivering. Anyway...
Rusty: Gosh, it's cold in here.
Me: Yes, it really is. It's like a little bit of purgatory every morning.
Rusty: I thought purgatory was supposed to be hot.
Me: You never know. Maybe it's cold. For me, I think it'd be more painful and crippling to be freezing. Like this.
Rusty: Yes. Maybe purgatory is like Antarctica...with a t-shirt on.

And there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Purgatory is like Antarctica...with a t-shirt on.

And then, tonight, in Ethics class, my professor very clearly explained determinism and free will.
Professor: Each of you have free will. No one held a head to your gun and made you come to class tonight!

Yes, Doctor, you are correct. There were no HEADS held to my GUN to make me come to class. Thanks for the clarification.
Haha...I love it when people do that. It's usually me that is saying things backwards (ask ANYONE), so it's so nice to have a some companionship in that on that happy little cloud we call lysdexia. :)

Goodnight!!

Caritas et veritas!!

So, to keep with the tradition of Elizabeth and Lauren, I have decided to post about my POD room. :) I hope you enjoy it. I personally happen to love it. :) Yay. Notice in this picture my bed. I love my bed. The quilt and small pillows were made by my best friend, Elizabeth. It's an amazingly comfortable and warm quilt. I love it. The red pillowcase doesn't match, but she made it too, so it works. And barely visible is my teddy bear, which I love. Yes, I'm 20 years old. And I love my teddy bear. :) The light in the corner is my swanky light from IKEA. I'm pretty sure it means I'm cool. And next to the light: the picture from the newspaper from the day Pope Benedict XVI was elected - laminated for safekeeping. And of course, Halloween decorations. :) 

On the nightstand from left to right: a dying plant (I'm nurturing with children...but kill plants!), a Halloween tree, a picture of me and Annie with Sister Mary John and Sister Mary Martha, my postcard of St. Dominic, my alarm clock (which works at random...grr..), two crucifixes (from Rome), my statue of St. Dominic, my statue of St. Cecilia, and a bottle of holy water. In the drawer is my Liturgy of the Hours and other prayer books. Just take my word for it. On the lower shelf, a picture from the National Shrine of St. Therese that says "Mary Is More Mother Than Queen", and my CD collection. On the floor: the Observer (Rockford Diocese newspaper), "Pride and Prejudice", and my Loras water bottle. :) 

Above my bed: my deceased Uncle Donald's crucifix. To the left of that, my Pope John Paul the Great poster (which I looove), and to the left of that, my Jubilee banner which I may or may not have taken from a chapel which is no longer in use...shhhh! 

My TV/dresser. The DVD on top of the TV is "Little Women", and the VHS is "Commander in Chief". The collage board to the right is filled with family members (see my brother and his girlfriend on the left?) :), pictures of St. Therese, Pope John Paul II, pictures of St. Dominic (one which I drew, at the bottom), and the nametag: Zita. See the post from two Wednesdays ago for that explanation. :) Oh, and don't forget: the Poland Forever button on the bottom right. Yessss. 

Desk explanation later. For now, just note the tapestry of St. Therese (from Rome), the Madonna of the Streets poster, and the St. Therese poster. How perfect above my desk. :) 

Window #2, with a ROME sign above it. When I lie in bed, it's all I think of. :) To the right of the window is a picture of my two favorite Dominicans. To the left of the window are my Loras and Aquinas banners. On the refrigerator is my jukebox and my picture of me and Annie with Sister Mary Emily. On the floor you will find books about Catholic Medical Teachings, Catholic Ethics, and other genetics and ethics-related books. Some by Dominicans. :) Above the refrigerator, you will notice the picture of Jesus, and a reproduction of the earliest known image of the Virgin Mary from the Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome. 

The desk. Notice the books - all quality, I guarantee. And I have the angel given to me by my grandma, then the triptych my best friend got for me in Fatima, then my Maria Milagrosa candle (lit for special occasions of lack of inspiration for homework), my Madonna and child glass etching, and a vial of holy water from Lourdes. Taped to the shelf bottom is a picture of JP2, then a quality Iowa bumper sticker, then a stained glass of St. Cecilia (from Nashville!). On the actual desk we have cookies from home (thanks!), the itinerary for the Sisters of Life's visit to Loras, a CD of Italian music, my piggy bank filled with laundry money, my pencil drawing of St. Therese from Annie who bought it from one of the Sisters of St. John, my computer (with Bing and Ingird wallpaper), my St. Therese statue, and my St. Therese bear. Whew. 

Tonight's homily was amazing. Father was totally on fire - it was awesome. My favorite line: You cannot be Catholic without the Eucharist! You just cannot!! It was probably my favorite homily...or at least, right up there with the best of them.

So it's Homecoming week here at Loras. Which means that it is both filled with the good and the bad kinds of fun. We'll see how this goes. I am looking forward to seeing the alumni that will be here this weekend - it will be great! And the Homecoming game!! I love football. And the dance - it is a formal this year, and I am going! The guy that I'm going with is a friend from high school, who is now a Marine. Ah yes, me and a Marine. Only, he's actually taking me and a few of my other roommates (he's basically the escort for whoever doesn't have a date). Haha. I'm maintaining that I am going with a Marine, however. :) Heh.

Oh by the way, I got Quaker all flustered on Friday when I questioned her explanation of the separation of the procreative and unitive aspects of sex. She got all red and flustered and sweaty...it was pretty interesting. I look forward to a good...er...discussion tomorrow too.

And yesterday my brother came up to visit me. He brought his girlfriend. We had a good time. They're good kids. And when they met Father and he was joking about my brother knowing all the "dirt" about me, my brother was like "Umm..actually...I can't think of anything". I love that. Anyway, we had a really great time together. I love my brother.

And, I am going to post some pictures of my room...SOON. My best friend posted her room, and now Lauren at Cnytr has, so it only makes sense that I follow suit. Once I can con one of my flatmates into allowing me to use their camera, it will be done. :)

Off to bed. You know what they say about early to bed, early to rise. :)

Caritas et veritas.

Went to a drive-in movie tonight. It was 36 degrees outside and we watched it lying on blankets. Yes, that means we froze. It was great fun. :)

And now for something random:
You are
[ ] really short under 5'2
[ ] 5'2 -5'6"
[x] 5'7'' more medium then short
[ ] in between 5'7" - 6'
[ ] tall
[ ] blonde
[ ] redhead
[ ] brunette
[ ] dirty blonde/brownish
[ ] black (dyed)
[x] brown (natural)
[ ] blue-eyed
[x] brown-eyed
[ ] green-eyed
[ ] hazel eyed
[ ] gold/gray-eyed
[ ] silver/gray- eyed
[ ] blue/green-eyed
[x] glasses
[ ] contacts
[ ] short hair
[x] medium
[ ] long hair

Your nationality includes
[ ] chinese
[ ] indian
[ ] taiwanese
[ ] japanese
[ ] hispanic
[ ] nicoya
[ ] puerto rican
[ ] chicana
[ ] italian
[ ] scottish
[ ] vietnamese
[ ] filipino
[ ] armenian
[ ] dutch
[ ] french
[x] german
[ ] irish
[ ] greek
[ ] portuguese
[x] polish
[ ] english
[ ] korean
[ ] jamaican
[ ] canadian
[x] lithuanian
[x] native american
[ ] russian
[ ] swedish
[ ] african
[ ] peruvian
[ ] hungarian
[ ] thai
[ ] czech-slovakian
[x] you aren't sure what else you are
[ ] romanian
[ ] finnish
[ ] egyptian
[ ] welsh
[ ] norweigian
[ ] croatian
[ ] austrian
[ ] persian
[ ] bohemian
[x] swiss

Your favorite color(s) are
[x] red
[ ] khaki
[ ] pink
[x] yellow
[x] black
[x] green
[x] blue
[x] white
[ ] silver
[x] purple
[ ] brown
[ ] orange

Some sports/physical things you have done
[x] soccer
[x] dancing
[ ] field hockey
[ ] hockey
[ ] football
[ ] softball
[x] ice skating
[ ] wrestling
[x] gymnastics
[ ] track/cross country
[x] basketball
[ ] baseball
[ ] golf
[x] playing music
[x] hiking
[ ] kayaking
[x] camping
[x] horseback riding
[x] tennis
[x] volleyball
[ ] martial arts
[ ] rugby
[x] frisbee (Ultimate!)
[ ] surfing
[ ] motocross/quads
[ ] bmx
[x] wakeboarding
[ ] snowboarding
[ ] skateboarding
[ ] skiiing
[x] swimming
[ ] water polo
[ ] boxing

Your personality is sometimes...
[x] talkative
[x] shy
[x[ funny
[x] serious
[x] bubbly
[x] spazzy
[x] fun loving
[x] laid back
[x] strict
[ ] hyper
[x] weird
[ ] ditzy
[x] sarcastic
[x] slow

The music you like is
[x] classic rock
[x] rap (limited!!)
[ ] alternative
[x] rock
[x] pop
[x] country
[x] r&b
[ ] slow jams
[x] christian
[x] classical
[ ] techno
[x] oldies
[ ] punk
[ ] latin
[ ] ska
[ ] 80's
[ ] hip hop

The pets you have had
[ ] cat
[x] dog
[x] lizard
[ ] rat
[ ] ferret
[x] rabbit
[x] fish
[ ] ducks
[ ] chickens
[ ] rooster
[ ] horse
[ ] bird
[x] frog
[ ] hermit crab
[ ] prarie dog
[ ] none
[x] turtle
[ x hamster
[ ] snake
[ ] gerbil
[ ] guinea pig
[ ] goats
[ ] chinchilla

Clothes you like to wear are
[ ] plain t-shirts
[x] hoodies
[x] sneakers
[x] jeans
[x] flip-flops
[ ] sweatpants
[ ] sports caps
[x] graphic tees
[ ] tank tops
[ ] shorts
[x] skirts

Clothing Brands/Stores you like
[ ] American Eagle
[ ] Hollister
[ ] Abercrombie & Fitch
[x] Target
[ ] Wal-mar
[ ] nike
[ ] adidas
[ ] salvation army
[x] old navy
[ ] GAP

States I have been to
[ ] Alabama
[ ] Alaska
[ ] Arizona
[x] Arkansas
[x] California
[x] Colorado
[ ] Connecticut
[ ] Delaware
[x] Florida
[ ] Georgia
[ ] Hawaii
[ ] Idaho
[x] Illinois
[x] Indiana
[x] Iowa
[x] Kansas
[ ] Kentucky
[ ] Louisiana
[ ] Maine
[ ] Maryland
[ ] Massachusetts
[x] Michigan
[x] Minnesota
[ ] Mississippi
[x] Missouri
[ ] Montana
[x] Nebraska
[ ] Nevada
[ ] New Hampshire
[ ] New Jersey
[ ] New Mexico
[ ] New York
[ ] North Carolina
[ ] North Dakota
[ ] Ohio
[ ] Oklahoma
[ ] Oregon
[ ] Pennsylvania
[ ] Rhode Island
[ ] South Carolina
[ ] South Dakota
[x] Tennessee
[x] Texas
[ ] Utah
[ ] Vermont
[ ] Virginia
[ ] Washington
[ ] West Virginia
[x] Wisconsin
[x] Wyoming

I don't know what the pupose of that was...but it was somewhat entertaining. Hope you enjoy learning about me...or something.

Caritas et veritas.

Battle of Lepanto...Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!! **cheers to being Catholic!!**  

::GASP!:: Crime scene at Loras College?! What could have possibly gone down in sleepy ol' Dubuque?!! 

Ah! The culprits!! Haha...this morning, while on our usual jaunt to the campus store for our morning cuppa joe, we noticed the yellow Caution tape, thought "crime scene", Russ realized he has chalk in his apartment, and, as they say...the rest is history. :) The funniest part? No one saw us, because we came back later and carried out our mischief under the cover of night. Muah ha ha... Boy will they (faculty, staff, administration...PRESIDENT) have a surprise in the morning!! Hehe!

The newly professed! I am so happy for them!! And I know two of them, which makes it even more exciting! God is so good! 

The prostration - brings tears to my eyes just thinking of how beautiful it is. ::sigh:: 

What a great day!

I (completely on purpose) slept through all three of my classes this morning. Yes, it was totally premeditated and I am unashamed. The classes weren't worth attending today, in my opinion, especially when considering how tired I've been and how much I needed to just take a little time to relax. So, that's exactly what I did. It was quite beautiful, in fact. Then I woke up at about 11:30 (yes, THAT late!), and made a nice breakfast/lunch (brunch?) for myself. Then I went shopping for really random things like a new toothbrush, crickets, Halloween candy dishes and a Strawberries 'n' Creme Frappuccino. Yum. It was quite fun, just wandering around. I talked with Sister Mary Gabriel for a long time about her visit out here to Loras, and got really excited about it. Also, I got a care package in the mail from the people back home at work! They are too good to me. :) Anyway, it was really great. Then I came back, cleaned out Sophia's cage, read Mindy some books (one in Spanish - "Huevos Verdes con Jamon"!!). The flatmates ordered pizza and we bonded. Then we had bible study which, quite quickly, turned into an ice cream eating festival - I shared an enormous banana split with Mindy. It was delish. Then came time to read "Pride and Prejudice". After that I went to Mass, and here I sit. I did nothing of purpose today, and I couldn't be happier about it. Sometimes, we need a day like that. :)

And...I am really envious. My two greatest friends, Elizabeth and Annie, are BOTH going to be in Nashville Oct 22-23 for the retreat with the sisters. And I'll be here in Dubuque. How sad is that? How I wish I could be there with them. :(

Caritas et veritas.

Beth, in her house. Notice the lights and such. Quite astonishing, really. 

The real Francis and Dominic, in beautiful triptych fashion. My favorite.  

When searching "Francis and Dominic", I found these two jokers, and found it too entertaining. 

Once again, I cannot get the danged picture to work when I cut and paste a link from a quiz I have just completed. Y'all know what Albus Dumbledore looks like, so I guess it's really not imperative that the picture show. It sure would be nice, though. :(

I find it interesting that I am Albus, and yet, at the same time, it makes a lot of sense to me. I would love to be Albus. So wise, so good, so concerned with such foresight (usually) and a great reputation for being an honorable and trustworthy person. I like that. However, what it says at the end, about being afraid to cause suffering: that is very true, also. I am often shy to complete something which may bring about good for fear that suffering may be part of that process. Fear not - I can judge those situations accordingly (at times!) - but, by and large, I think that this is quite true.

And now for one of the deep thoughts I've been mulling over in my mind. (amongst many...)

I believe that, as Catholic Christians, we are called to live the command of Jesus to "Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News". As such, it is our responsibility to take the Word of God with us, wherever we may be OR wherever it is needed. We do not live for ourselves, nor are we able to live out this call of God in isolation. (side note: for this rant, I am completely excluding those who are hermits, those who are cloistered, and those of the like - I am not taking that call and lifestyle into account whatsoever - there is something much different, holy, blessed and beautiful about that than I am about to expose, rather, I am discussing those lay persons who are in favor of the "walled city" type of life. With that said, I continue...) We are called to be Christ's hands, feet, words, etc. to a world which would much rather continue on without hearing Him at all. We are called to live the Truth in such a way that people are attracted to it, making them wonder how they may experience it as well. "Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father" (Mt 5:16). How is it that our light will shine when we separate ourselves from those around us? How is it that we can, in turn, glorify our heavenly Father? And how is it that we will bring anyone else to do the very same? Indeed, we are called to be with the sinners, teaching them, helping them, calling them to become who they truly are in Christ. Jesus ate with the sinners: the tax collectors, prostitutes and such, being present to them in a way which called them to deeper conversion. Had He hidden in the hills during His time on earth, how would He have fulfilled His ministry? And, how are we to be His disciples if we will not do the same?
I guess my basis for this rant is the recent talk I've heard of Catholics in certain areas building up fortresses of sorts, in an attempt to rid their lives of the smut, filth and general wickedness that is to be found on every avenue in the city, and consequently, seeps into the lives of all people, regardless of virtue. How noble it seems to remove oneself from such sin and live life without the pressures, anxieties and pettiness which makes up society at large. However, I cannot find it in me to agree with this method. I cannot find it in me to support those who do. I can only find it in me to regard them as cowards, as those who do not listen to the voice of the Lord saying, "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Mt 28:20b) If Jesus had wished for us to hole up in a hovel of our own making, He would not have commanded His disciples, whom He sent out, to "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) He says to go into the whole world...how can it also be His will to hide from the world in an attempt to preserve one's virtue? Does this seem selfish to anyone else? Aren't we called to share what we have with those who have not? Aren't we called to be good stewards of the gifts we have been given, using them to build the Kingdom? And aren't we called to love God and neighbor as self, leaving behind what we have and know? Again, another quote from Mark's gospel, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:34-35) We cannot hide, we cannot run, and we cannot even ignore the inky tentacles the world may reach out to us with, in an attempt to grab us. We must be relentless in spreading His Truth, in showing His love, and in carrying our crosses each day. How are we to have zeal for souls when the only souls we encounter are those similar to our own? I do not understand this idea of leaving the world completely, marrying, raising a family, etc. etc. and expecting this to be the best way for us to live out God's call to us. I do understand the need to be prudent in deciding which things are best for us in regard to exposing ourselves to issues in the media, society and world, and I do not recommend that we run into the world flailing our arms, screaming "Come, one and all! Listen to the Gospel!", nor do I recommend that we "educate" ourselves on the ways of the world by living loosey-goosey lives. I just think that we need to be aware of our world, educate ourselves according to what we feel is prudent for us to know, and then use this information to be the hands, feet and mouth of Christ to a world in need.
Am I wrong?

Caritas et veritas.

You scored as Albus Dumbledore. Strong and powerful you admirably defend your world and your charges against those who would seek to harm them. However sometimes you can fail to do what you must because you care too much to cause suffering. Albus Dumbledore 85% Hermione Granger 75% Draco Malfoy 75% Harry Potter 75% Ron Weasley 75% Severus Snape 70% Ginny Weasley 70% Sirius Black 65% Remus Lupin 60% Lord Voldemort 40% Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...? created with QuizFarm.com

You are 'regularly metric verse'. This can take
many forms, including heroic couplets, blank
verse, and other iambic pentameters, for
example. It has not been used much since the
nineteenth century; modern poets tend to prefer
rhyme without meter, or even poetry with
neither rhyme nor meter.
You appreciate the beautiful things in life--the
joy of music, the color of leaves falling, the
rhythm of a heartbeat. You see life itself as
a series of little poems. The result (or is it
the cause?) is that you are pensive and often
melancholy. You enjoy the company of other
people, but they find you unexcitable and
depressing. Your problem is that regularly
metric verse has been obsolete for a long time.

What obsolete skill are you?
brought to you by Quizilla.com

I was away this weekend, visiting my dear dear friend Annie, and thus the lack of posting. Especially on St. Therese's feast day. Believe you me - we celebrated it right, though. I will post a picture from the National Shrine of St. Therese soon (must get myself to the scanner first). However, just as a summary, the day consisted of waking up for Mass, napping, eating, and just hanging out. A wonderful feast day celebration. :)

And!!! The coveted movie poster!! IT IS MINE! I win!!! Should arrive shortly. Yesss....

And over the weekend, the flatmates bought a new TV (the other one was smoking, remember?). Beth now lives in the box from the TV. Pictures of that to follow, as well. Heh.

Well, I have a lot to post about, but very little time - so stay tuned, friends. Good stuff coming. Promise.

And on that note: I am currently in "Mundo Hispano" - my last Spanish class required for my minor (yessss). The professor began today's class by talking about the machismo of the men in Latin America and Spain, and how it is culturally important to be a womanizer (I tuned him out for most of it...it's the same story every day)...and then, without notice, he switched over to talking about Jesuits.
Whoa, wait, what?
...I found it entertaining. For no reason at all, of course.

And because I like Dominicans: my dear Brother Dominic.

Caritas et veritas!!