— 1 —

The 7 posts in 7 days challenge has gone pretty well! I love sitting down to write about things I care about, and even wrote 4 of the posts in one day. I won’t have my computer for about a week (starting Saturday), so I’m going to schedule posts and hope that works for the last ones. I’ve never scheduled posts before, so we’ll see how that goes.

— 2 —

Like I said, I’ll be without my computer for about a week. I’m looking forward to being almost completely technology free (except for my cell phone)! Like I wrote recently, being without technology is SO freeing. Now I’ve got to finish a story on a priest who was power washed by a (“Catholic”) Planned Parenthood supporter before I power off!

— 3 —

Did you know The Washington Post published information indicating that the majority of Americans support a 20 week ban on abortions? I don’t know how trustworthy the poll was, but it’s good to see anyway!

— 4 —

Have you seen much about World Youth Day?

I would LOVE to go to one sometime, though I would love for it to be a little closer. Did you see that picture going around of all the people going to confession there? How awesome is that?! Here’s a video showing just how big the area is, and Simcha wrote a great piece about it here.

— 5 —

Look at this! 

Apparently this Eucharistic miracle happened just recently at the Maria (Mother of the Church) Church in Mexico on July 24th. The host was bleeding before a Eucharistic Congress. I remember there was some sort of conference or something at my church about Eucharistic miracles several years ago, and the stories were incredible. If you ever doubt that the Eucharist is the body of Christ, check out these miracles.

— 6 —

I’ve pretty much failed in the exercise department recently, and still have to finish day 23 of Jillian’s thing. Whoops. It’ll be easier when I have a more consistent schedule. But! I will for sure finish this challenge before the summer is out.

— 7 —

Less than a month till I go back to school! I’m excited to get back and get started on this year. My ticket is set to where I’ll be getting the car, and then I’ll driving out to KS. My books are (almost) all bought. My bill is paid. Time to enjoy the last bit of summer!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —

Summer weather is the bomb, especially in California. We had a week or so of terribly HOT weather around 100, but it’s been in the 80’s now. And thank goodness, I’m not pasty KS pale anymore (and have a slight swim suit tan)! Yay sunshine!

— 2 —

I’ve been washing my hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar for a week (approximately, I think) and it’s totally fine. I did run out of mousse, though, so my hair has been weird. Once I go get some more, I’ll be able to judge for certain if I’ll stick with this. For now, the verdict looks like it’s in the affirmative department.

— 3 —

This week Jen (host of 7QT) announced that she had a crazy idea to post every day next week to try and get back in the swing of blogging. So I decided to join her! Check back every day (starting Sunday 7/22) for a new post 🙂 And if you have a suggestions, feel free to let me know!

— 4 —

I made mini pretzel bites earlier this week, and YUM! Thanks to Pinterest, my family and I enjoyed extremely splendiforous and oh-so-simple bites of goodness. I’ve attempted pretzels before, but they ended up weird after you boil them in baking soda water. For this recipe, you make the (super simple) dough, then dip it in water with baking soda and just bake them normally. I’ll definitely be making these at school.

— 5 —

I am so excited to be getting a car! Because of very generous relatives, I will be able to bring a car back to school and make it my very own. At the end of last school year, it was a dream in the back of my mind that I would be able to make my own trip to Walmart (haha), take people places, and mostly be able to go outside the abortion clinic without having to worry about having enough cars. But I never even considered that it could be a reality. Well, it is! Now I’ll have a guaranteed seat! It’s not going to seem real until I’m driving it to school, but my-oh-my. I am so excited.

— 6 —

Today I sent in my third huge check toward my college education. And now I can in all confidence identify myself as a poor college student.

Ouch! It’s rather terrifying, but I know I’ll get by. I’m earning my degree in quite the literal sense by actually working to pay for it unlike this guy. That article was rather awesome.

— 7 —

I’m done with day 22 of Jillian’s death workout! Only 8 more to go. This is by far the best work-out video I’ve ever done, and makes me sweat like no other. It feels so good, and I feel so much stronger already. I can actually do traveling push-ups, crazy jumps, and all sorts of other weird stuff. I’m never going to be ripped like people who’ve posted before and after pictures online (ew) but I know I’m in better shape. And when I work out better, I automatically eat better. Now I have to think about how to keep this up 😉

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —

Okay, have you heard about the whole Texas thing? Today has been cray cray. People against the bill (which would ban abortions past 20 weeks, make abortion clinics meet the requirements of ambulatory surgical centers, and require abortionists to have admittance privileges at a nearby hospital) have had bricks, human excrement, and all sorts of feminine care products confiscated by the police (including some filled with glitter, huh?). They were apparently planning to throw the bricks on senators after the vote, and sprinkle the excrement too. The feminine care products have been spotted all around the building after being flung by abortion supporters. It’s quite an interesting way to try to get your message across, though I’m not sure what message they’re trying to send….”We’re poo-flingers” comes to mind along with “We’re such feminists we put glitter in our feminine care products”. It’s really hurting their image, not helping it.

To stay up to date on the shenanigans, check out SFLA, SBA List, and TX Alliance for Life on Twitter. And please be sure to keep all the people there in your prayers especially that they remain safe. If you can support them by sending food, that’s a fabulous idea as well (I saw someone who had Dominos deliver pizza).

— 2 —

On a happier note, it’s fabulous to work in a pregnancy center. I see clients coming in pretty much every day, and many of the moms bring their babies back to show us. It’s certainly not all brownies and roses – the other day an extremely loud and abusive male (who I won’t call a man) dragged his pregnant girlfriend out when he realized we wouldn’t perform an abortion. But then you have days when a mom miraculously turns around and chooses life. It’s so awesome. I’ve been learning a lot, and am looking forward to being able to counsel in the not-too-distant future. At BC, we go outside an abortion clinic often, and I am planning to start sidewalk counseling (outside what used to be Tiller’s clinic) as soon as I can.

— 3 —

I’m still reading “Rediscover Catholicism” and it’s such a good book! I feel like it’s a whole lot of wisdom packed in an itty bitty living space. It gives me such good ideas and encouragement for not only how to be a better Catholic, but why. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone wanting to know more about the faith.

— 4 —

This is a great article on why to cut out Facebook from your life. It’s definitely something that made me think more about how I use my time, even though I’m still on the book of faces.

— 5 —

I’ve been exploring money-saving stuff recently. Yesterday I washed my hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar (both mixed separately with water), and golly gee! It actually worked fine. Did you know baking soda is slippery-smooth like shampoo? Who knew! I’m going to give it a week or so to see what my verdict is, and no. I’m not a hippie.

— 6 —

What do you think about this Halloween costume? I think it’s awesome 🙂

— 7 —

And now, here is a simply fabulous quote from Mother Angelica. 

Have a happy weekend, ya’ll! For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —

Yesterday was Independence Day. Whoohoo. We all dressed in our patriotic best and sweated like some animal that’s grosser than a pig during our neighborhood’s first annual parade (seriously, there were drops going down my back).

We walked up and down our streets with around 75 people all decked out in red, white, blue, and sweat – lots of sweat. Someone carried a boombox with patriotic music playing, and people stood on their lawns to cheer. We had a low-key block party too, which was a first, and then nearly had heart attacks when people set off HUGE fireworks later in the night. It looked like lightning, and felt/sounded like an elephant had just dropped from the sky – and they set off plenty of car alarms. Yay for good ol’ American fun 🙂

— 2 —

Did you notice that for some reason, it’s not politically incorrect to use the word “God” on the 4th? Yesterday people played classics like “God Bless America” and stuff like that for the parade. We had the fireworks in D.C. on tv later, and Tom what’s-his-face ended it with “God Bless America”. Yay! Now my question is: why can’t every day be like that?

— 3 —

Did you know that Pope Francis has his first encyclical out today? In high school I read quite a few, and grew to really enjoy poring over them (even though it takes a long time). Our past Popes had quite a lot of wisdom, which is evident in these letters. I especially liked the one on freedom. This recent one (which was started by Pope Emeritus Benedict and finished by Pope Francis) is called The Light of Faith. I can’t wait to read it when I have a little more time on my hands.

— 4 —

Okay, one last thing about the 4th. I loved this article which talked about why the Gettysburg Address is more significant to read than the Declaration of Independence. Amen! I really enjoy reading it, so here’s the text for you:

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

 

— 5 —

The weather has been CRAZAY over here lately with somewhere around a week (I can’t remember how long) of upper 90’s or a little over 100 degree weather. Usually we have maybe a few days or a week later in the summer with this kind of heat, but not this year. I attribute it to global warming 😉

— 6 —

I am so excited about being President of Ravens Respect Life next year! It’s going to be a HUGE amount of work, but I am gearing up and getting ready to make an impact with my other officers on the students at BC. I feel like Syndrome (is that his name?) from the Incredibles when he says “Ooooooo, this is just too good!” except for the fact that I’m not an evil person with a plan to take over the world.

— 7 —

I’m trying to think of what to write. Any suggestions? I want to write more about Catholicism, why I’m Catholic, and introduce my readers to concepts of a deeper and more authentic life (which I’ve been reading about). I can also write about femininity, and pro-life issues. But I’d really love to explore topics that YOU are more interested in seeing. Let me know in the comment section below!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —

Happy Sunday from me and my little sista! We’re enjoying a chill sort of Sunday 🙂

— 2 —

This week my family and I went strawberry picking. There’s one place we usually go to, but they were all picked-out already. We tried a new place with all organic pesticide free strawberries that ended up being a little naturally moldy as well. They were much smaller than the ones we’ve picked in the past, so it was a little tougher. But I made 10 jars of jam yesterday with one of my sisters, so yum!

— 3 —

This week I’ve completed up to day 15 of the 30 day Jillian thing. It’s hard to make myself do it simply because I really hate having to change into workout clothes, get sweaty like nobody’s business, and then want to change and shower right after (because who wants those Gila Radner sweat balls hanging off your nose anyway??). I saw Jen’s playlist to the workout a while ago and then made my own with my younger brother who’s been doing it with me. Here’s what we’ve been sweating to:

Dental Care by Owl City (3:11)

Eye of the Tiger by Journey (4:03)

So What by Pink (3:34)

I’ll Make a Man Out of You from Mulan (3:22)

Raise Your Glass by Pink (3:25)

That Don’t Impress Me Much by Shania Twain (4:26)

Animal by Neon Trees (3:32)

Litany by Matt Maher (2:15)

You can play this list on grooveshark here. Jen has it down to a science, so you can make your own playlist if you want. Just have a warm-up song around 3:12 and a warm-down song around 2:10 with about 22:15 in between.

— 4 —

This week was somewhat depressing with all the DOMA, Prop 8, and SB5 things going around. But I take solace in the fact that no matter what happens, the Church is constant. We’ve been around for thousands of years and have gone through much worse. If it comes to martyrs in the next decades (which I don’t rule out as a possibility) then fine. They’re just helping us get to heaven. But we’ll continue to fight the good fight because hello! We’re Catholics, and it’s kind of our thing to stand up for truth and against injustice, ya’ll.

— 5 —

Do you think you could stand for like 11+ hours (can’t remember how long it was) talking about your support for abortion? I mean, I hope you don’t support it (talk to me if you do), but still….who can stand for that long without eating or peeing? I mean, I’d do it to support an important pro-life piece of legislature if I had to (are catheters that bad? I don’t have any experience…). And fasting isn’t a foreign concept to me. But I just can’t imagine doing that for something as heinous as abortion. I could talk about joyful stories of women choosing life, and the tragedy of those who are hurt because they did not. But getting up there to have some long emotional rant about how women need the right to kill viable babies is beyond me. Completely.

— 6 —

On a more joyful note, this week is the 4th of July. I’ll be enjoying the company of family as we celebrate our wonderful country that needs to get it together 🙂 Here’s my favorite patriotic song.

And here’s one I heard for the first time recently. More people need to hear this!

— 7 —

And lastly, go check out an awesome “Life of the Week” article I wrote  this week about Hannah Rose’s inspiring story from abortion to pro-life speaker!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!