— 1 —

Hello world. How’s life? I’ve been plugging along over here. This past week I’ve been sick, which is lovely. Here’s the thing about me being sick: I don’t look really sick. AND I don’t act very sick. Why? For starters I don’t get sick very often, plus I am not a dramatic person. I blow my nose if I need to. I’ll cough or sneeze – and cover it! But this week I thought of that part in the Bible where it talks about fasting and how you should anoint your head and go about your business and not go out into the square and announce to the world that you are fasting. Of course, being sick is different than fasting. But I think the idea is kind of the same. You’re suffering in both instances, and the grace you could gain from dealing with it are lost when you go about complaining.

Sound harsh? Perhaps. If you are really grossly sick it’s probably a good idea to chill. But my main point is that I do not go around announcing it to people or showing it in the way I dress or present myself. No, I don’t think I am the most awesome person ever. This is part of my personality. Some would take issue and claim that I am downplaying their suffering. I get it. But at the same time, as long as you’re not dying, I say eat some soup, get done what you need to, take care of yourself, and carry on with your life.

— 2 —

— 3 —

I am so excited for Thanksgiving! For the festivities, I’m driving 9 hours with a couple friends to visit one of my older sisters. Yay! Isn’t it kind of funny how people talk about being thankful during this lovely month of November? I appreciate the sentiment, but couldn’t we find something to be thankful for every day? I really liked a homily from a recent daily Mass I went to where Fr. talked about how we need to be able to let go of the little things in our lives. Like a paper cut, he said. It hurts, right? Do we need to complain about little things and blow them up though? Nope. I’ve really worked on this personally, and can tell you that while it’s hard, it gives me an inner peace to know that it doesn’t really matter if someone is rude or does something stupid. I am in control of how I act, and for the most part I choose to let go of things that don’t matter. Of course there are times I fail, but being able to do this makes me so thankful for the things that do matter.

— 4 —

Some of my November goals have been going really well, and I think this is my best month yet. I’ve liked some of them more than others, and am so thankful to be using these goals to challenge myself.

— 5 —

Sometime recently my friends and I did those four letter personality tests and mine said I was an ISFJ (which, by the way, is the same as Mother Teresa). Some of the articles on what that means ring more true than others, but I plan to write a whole post about it sometime. It’s interesting.

— 6 —

Have you heard about this Noah movie yet?

It doesn’t look Biblically correct – a given – but I think it’s kind of neat that they used a Bible story for the basic premise of it. I mean, when you can’t think of any new stories, it doesn’t hurt to go back to the good ol’ Bible!

— 7 —

I’m all signed up for classes next semester, and here’s what I’ll be taking:

Principles of Managerial Accounting

Christian Moral Life

Concert Chorale

Yoga

Development & Analysis of Business Data

International Management & Culture

Principles of Microeconomics

Leadership, Vision, and Values

At first look, it seems that this could be an incredibly challenging upcoming semester, or it could be a bit easy. We’ll see. I predict that it will be a bit easier simply because this semester I’m finishing up has been my hardest yet, and has pushed and pulled and stretched me in ways I’ve never experienced before. I think I will be better prepared to take on next semester with gusto, but we shall see. For now, it’s back to accounting homework and paper writing in my cozy suite (sheltered from the 20 degree weather outside) and our traditional lip syncing campus event tonight. Life is good!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —

I am so thankful to be past last week! The amount of stress I experienced especially this past Monday was insane…and all due to my tough classes. I had a huge test (1/4 of my final grade) that I needed to do well on. Thanks to studying, I did as well as I needed to. And I just found out that the final is not cumulative, so I am relieved about that. Whew! That was accounting. Macroeconomics has also continued to be challenging, and I’m now meeting with my teacher for a bit before class each day to go over my notes from the reading and make sure that I’m grasping all the concepts. I can see the light! Next week I’ll be registering for spring classes.

— 2 —

Have you heard about Batkid? A little boy with leukemia was granted his wish by the Make a Wish Foundation, so they made San Francisco into Gotham City today. They staged a robbery and a woman being tied to something he had to save her from. What I love about this is how so many people have gotten excited about it. It’s so neat to see the crowds there – just to support him and his wish to be Batkid for a day.

— 3 —

Guess what? Today I got glasses! I’d been noticing how hard driving can be (especially at night), so boom bam. Vision.

— 4 —

Another exciting thing: I’m leading a mission trip for spring break! Details are not at all confirmed yet, but it’ll be with the Missionaries of Charity, most likely in Memphis or Chicago.

— 5 —

Today I donated blood. I was a little nervous to do it for the first time this past spring, but it went really well and I wasn’t concerned about doing it again. The nurse did have a hard time finding my vein last time, but she could feel one in my right arm and had no problem sticking it. Today I told them about that, and the nurse could definitely feel the one in my right arm better. Good. But then I stopped bleeding out before the bag was filled, so she had to adjust the needle. Again. And again. Ouch. Then the tape that was holding it in place came loose. *AHEM* It ended up that they just had to take it out before the bag was filled, so I don’t know if they’ll be able to use it at all. Apparently I just clotted really quickly where the needle was, which stopped it, so I guess it’s good I don’t have hemophilia.

— 6 —

The happiest thing I’ve seen today? These pictures of soldiers meeting their babies for the first time. Pure love, folks.

— 7 —

I’m looking forward to a non-stressful weekend and catching up on some assignments. Oh, and maybe cleaning up around here and working on my November goals. Let’s do it!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Thank you God for Fridays. College has made me appreciate them so much more than I used to.

— 1 —

Life has been rather stressful lately because apparently teachers had a meeting and decided to swamp all us ravens in projects and papers and exams at the same time.

I’ve had 2 exams in the past week, another one today, a 7-8 page paper due on Monday, a group paper (8-10 pages) and presentation (8-10 min.) due on Wednesday, a BIG test on Tuesday, a two-day test on Wednesday and Friday, and probably something else. I forget. Oh yeah. Another 10ish page paper due in a couple weeks and huge project. Whew! On top of that, there’s lots of regular homework and everything else life entails.

— 2 —

With all the crazy going on, I have to take breaks. I have found that I cannot handle studying for hours on end because I think my brain would explode. Whether it’s a moment of belting to a random song, or going to a short event, I’ve found that this is necessary to my sanity since:

— 3 —

On the bright side, I’ve determined that I will be effectively able to take over the world once I have my business management degree. After going over the course catalog again and re-visiting everything necessary for me to graduate, I am:

50% paralyzed in fear

50% crazy excited to see what this will lead to

. . . and 100% positive that this is (and is going to be) the most difficult challenge I have ever been faced with in my life. Yes, you may queue the dramatic music. I’ve had my moments of doubting that this is the right major for me (isn’t the shower the best place to re-think your life?), but I always come back to it. I know what I want to do after college, which seems to be where God is leading me, and this degree will equip me (in ways I cannot even comprehend yet) for my future.

— 4 —

I can’t get over these pictures. Pope Francis never ceases to remind us of what God’s love looks like in our everyday lives.

— 5 —

How’s your November going? It’s getting chilly, and I’m loving winter clothes. And can I just say that I appreciate how it forces people to dress more modestly?!?! Of course, with the exception of leggings, that is. *AHEM* Yes, I have a post in the works about those. Be warned. Moving on . . . I’ve gotten rid of lots of clothes over the last few months. I have a lovely collection of skirts. I’ve been making more of an effort to dress nicely, and only wear sweats when going to Zumba. Yay winter clothes. I’ll have to take some pictures for WIWS sometime to share.

— 6 —

— 7 —

And now, I’m off to work on projects, be constructive, and enjoy another weekend. Sort of. I’m just tired of homework and assignments and books and learning in general right now. That’s a rather lame way to end this, but it’s where I’m at right now. How long until Christmas again?

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

— 1 —

Saints are so awesome. Let this be a reminder that we should always strive for holiness and sainthood! All-school All Saint’s Day Mass was BEAUTIFUL as well. It’s so awesome to have examples of people who dedicated their lives to following God’s will. One of the best quotes I saw today?

“Saints are sinners who have never stopped trying.”

Boom. Beat that.

— 2 —

If anyone could ever find a reason worthy of convincing me to not live in California, it would probably be because of this. Fall weather! (Well, midwest thunder storms too.) When I step out of my suite in the morning and am greeted with colorfully exploding trees and the crisp air bringing on winter, it just puts a spring in my step. Add sunshine, and it’s going to be a good day. But don’t worry, family. I still love California.

— 3 —

I miss blogging. Writing helps me think about what I believe, and come to conclusions as I sort through things. It forces me to think. I’ve not been writing much lately simply because I’ve had so much on my plate keeping busy. So really I should be thankful that I haven’t spent time on it. But I’m not. While homework and other commitments are important, I do need to figure out how to minimize time on other things so I can blog more. I have a growing list of things I’ve been meaning to write about that I can’t wait to get started on!

— 4 —

A Bump in Life: True Stories of Hope & Courage During an Unplanned Pregnancy

On the plane home for fall break, I finished Amy Ford’s recently published book A Bump in Life. Wow! I’ll write up an On My Bookshelf post for it (you know, when I have time), but for now, I’ll tell you that it gives you incredible insight as to what women are actually going through in these crazy situations, and why so many are driven to have abortions. My only note about it is that it is heavy on Jesus-ness in a very protestant way for some of the stories. I love, love, love what Amy is doing with her organization Embrace Grace, and am more than willing to work with anyone who is pro-life and has the same goal as me though. Just don’t ask me if I’ve accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior 🙂 Or, if you do, I will politely let you know that in fact I’m Catholic, and yes we believe Jesus is da bomb too.

* The first link there is an affiliate link. That means if you buy through it, I will get a few pennies. Yay.

— 5 —

Good reminder, huh? Let’s chuck our computers out the window and spend time with people instead! Well, I do have to keep mine for school things, but you get the picture. Time is a valuable gift that you will never be able to re-wrap. I so appreciate when people make the effort to look up from their phones and detach themselves from distractions to spend time with me . . . though the world better watch out. Who knows what can happen when we’re being productive and spontaneous 😉

— 6 —

Have you seen this?

A photographer pulled random people off the streets and had them pose for pictures together as if they had known each other for years. My first thought was something along the lines of “Oh my gosh how awkward would that be?” but at the same time, I think it’s kind of neat. When you get down to the heart of it, we’re all 100% human.

— 7 —

Life is sweet right now. (No, I’m not referring to all the Halloween candy.) I’m busy, but loving life. I’m working on getting better at things that are important to me (ie. goal post coming soon!), and generally looking forward to the future and whatever it may hold. I know as long as I keep my eyes on becoming the best-version-of-myself (Thank you summer reading for giving me that phrase) and what God wants me to become, I can’t go wrong.

Enjoy fall! For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary.

Yes, I skipped this last week. It’s good to be back!

— 1 —

Have you ever realized how vital thumbs are? To anyone out there missing one: you rock. That would take a lot of getting used to. In the last week sometime, I accidentally slammed my right thumb as I went to take the Wall Street Journal out of my mailbox. It ripped completely  through, nearly half way across my nail horizontally. It sounds much more dramatic and painful that it actually was, but I’ve had to keep it covered so I don’t snag it on anything. Yay thumbs!

— 2 —

Earlier this week was Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. It was much easier than last year when there was a presidential debate 🙂 It’s rather isolating to be silent for a day, but it makes me appreciate how helpless people sometimes are when dealing with abortion. We ended the day by breaking silence with a candlelight vigil which was beautiful!

— 3 —

How beautiful is this?

Outside the abortion clinic we pray at, there are people who yell through traffic cones about how the clinic staff and clients are going to hell. A couple of them come and yell at us about the Blessed Mother. But through it all, we are there to be the light. Nothing can stop us from peacefully greeting the workers and clients as they go in and being a witness to the peace and joy that life brings. We’re working on showing the same gracious attitude toward the people who hinder us from reaching women as well. I’m not sure exactly why they’re out there, but I appreciate that they do something about abortion, even if it’s not how I would like it. I hope and pray that our peaceful presence might touch them in some way and plant a seed.

— 4 —

This morning in quantitative analysis (which has ended up being WAY easier than I thought it would be), my mind started wandering and thinking about all the things that inspire me. I came up with a list, and can’t wait to share it with you this weekend! Every so often I get really tired of all the negativity in life (which I’ve been trying to distance myself from), and am struck by just how beautiful life is and how blessed I am to have the life I do. All it takes is a moment to sit back and realize how insignificant most of our tribulations are, and how grateful we should be for all we’ve been given and/or worked for.

— 5 —

This weekend is homecoming! We’re having a sock hop. And bed races. And a parade. And lots of other things I can’t remember. It’s going to be fun. And how wonderful is it going to be to NOT have to study for a test?!?! Whew, I’m looking forward the fun times.

— 6 —

Next week is fall break! I’m going home for a few days to be at the banquet dinner I helped plan this summer with one of the pregnancy centers I worked for. We’re bringing out Gianna Jessen to speak, and it will be lovely. I can’t wait to see my family and not worry about school things for a few days.

— 7 —

We’re done with Disney songs in concert chorale, and are starting to work on Christmas ones for our Christmas performance. I was extremely excited to discover that one of them is one of my favorite Christmas songs: Breath of Heaven. I was reading through it before class the other day and struck with just how beautiful the lyrics are. It made me tear up. To hear a song from Mary’s perspective is just so beautiful. She is the ultimate example of humility and striving to follow God’s will. Watch it here:

Have I used the word “beautiful” too much in this post? Probably. Well, have a beautiful weekend and check out Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes!