I See Little People

Today was "Bring Your Kids To Work Day" at the laboratory. After presenting for 3 consecutive hours (and 77 kids later), I totally empathize with teachers (i.e. Danielle). It was an extreme adrenaline rush to put on each demonstration and to watch each kid's face light up with excitement (okay, so I wasn't THAT good, but most of them looked excited). To be honest, I was taken aback by how advanced they seemed to be for their ages. Is that a precursor to getting older?! I mean, their responses to my questions were so grown-up-like! And they were elementary school students!! I hope they enjoyed the day just as much as I did! It would've been cool if I was allowed to bring my nephews to work with me. Unfortunately, the children must be yours in order to participate in the festivities. I definitely did the next best thing. I commend the parents who took time out of their work schedules to interact with their children on so many levels - intellectually, emotionally, socially, etc. Mental note of the day - amazing how it's the simple things that make all the difference in a child's life. Time spent with mom and dad definitely outweigh PlayStation 2, chat rooms, and whatever else seems to consume kids' attention these days. Maybe I just have a skewed view on the subject.....Always striving to improve the situation. God knows that I didn't grow up in an ideal environment and that is why I pray fervently that I will be the most nurturing and "real" parent that I can be - someday. My hat's off to all the parents who participated in the company-sponsored event. In their own way, your children thank you.

"The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children." - Elain Heffner

WHO BOUGHT THE CASE????

Another successful Senior Walk:

Tostada pizza and raspberry lemonade fishbowl at the Ambassador: CHECK
Canned beer at the Crystal Room: CHECK
Pickled egg and a jell-o shot at Bleachers: CHECK
A case of beer at the DT: CHECK
Attended a Gary Tunstall performance: CHECK
**Gary doesn't play at the Ramada anymore. Don't know why. He plays at the Tap (Northern Lights) on Saturdays. We found out that he's "slowing down". Whatever that means. He still was drinking a boat load on Saturday**
A pint of Coppertown Ale at the Keweenaw Brewing Co: CHECK
A pint of Miner's IPA and a bowl of french onion soup at The Library: CHECK
Walked through the new kitchen in the AGD house: CHECK
Met Carter for the first time: CHECK

All in all, it was a great time. The weather cooperated (it was in the 50's and partly sunny) which was a bonus. Tried to walk through the renovated areas of Fisher Hall and the library, but we needed an ID to get in. The renovations to Wads are fantastic. I can't believe that the 'ghetto' was able to be transformed into such a cool place. It kind of makes McNair look like the 'ghetto'!!

*Sigh* I miss it already.....I'm thinking Labor Day - just the girls!!

He Is Risen!

Image: Stained glass depiction of St. Monica (my confirmation name, in case anyone was wondering) from St. John Catholic Church in Monroe, MI.

I can't put my thoughts and emotions regarding tonight's Easter Vigil into words. All I can say is THANK YOU to all of the RCIA team members - Laureen, Elaine, Bob, Brian, Diana, and Nancy. Not to forget Father Dan, who is most inspiring with his plethora of knowledge and talent for playing the piano (which I learned about this morning). I must admit, Father Dan is the type of person that I can listen to speak for DAYS. He is simply AMAZING; Father Tom, who definitely puts a new spin on "Burn Baby Burn"; and Ray, Mount Carmel's seminary intern, who has astonished me with his undying devotion to his faith and devotion to the priesthood. I, along with my co-converts, are extemely blessed to have you in our lives. Each of us was called to the Catholic faith by God for a reason. Now that we've been officially accepted into the church, we must share our experiences with others who are on their journey. Whether it's their journey through life or their journey through Christian Initiation, we now have an obligation to share the Good News. "To whom much is given, much is expected" (Luke 12:48) And no, I didn't know that passage by heart, I had to look it up!! My grandmother used to say it to me when I was growing up. She must've known something that I didn't.

Yes, I have been extremely blessed in my life. I'm almost ashamed to admit how much I do have. Therefore, the time has come to give - and to give with an open heart. I don't know how I'm supposed to give back, or in what form, but I guarantee that I'll know when the time comes. Oddly enough, answers come to me at the strangest moments - just as I'm falling asleep, more often than not.

The journey through RCIA has been most fulfilling. What I've learned has inspired me to scratch my traveling itch....Rome, anyone?!

Pimpin' All Over The World

As the bottom map shows, I haven't ventured too far away from MI. Sad, I know. However, I have been out of the country a few times - as shown in the top map.

Hopefully, I'll be able to join Erika on the cruise to the Turks & Caicos Islands in January...It's fate because my cat is named after the Caicos Island!!! We'll see, I have to convince you-know-who....*sigh*

Sometimes It Takes Courage

I want to congratulate one of my friends, Jody Rose, for making a hard decision because she stood up for what she believed in. Not all decisions are clear or easy, but it's usually the hard ones we make that are worthwhile.

And The Greatest Of These.....

For the past year, I've had to remind myself of the most important gift of all - LOVE. Without love, life would be worthless and meaningless. I believe that humans have an inherent or instinctive drive to attain love and with that brings acceptance and understanding. This is why 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is my absolute favorite passage. This particular reading takes my breath away for a couple of reasons: 1. It defines, in great detail, what love DOES; 2. It will always remind me of the ties that bind us to one another. My goal in life is to do exactly what is described.....

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

Thank God for love. Without it, I'd be nothing.

HEBDOMADA MAJOR

Image: Bucharest, Romania - Easter eggs painted with pictures of Jesus.

As some of you know, back in September I began my journey through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Today marks the first post of my daily accounts, thoughts and feelings as I draw closer to becoming Catholic.
As I entered the church this morning, a somber, yet peaceful, feeling came over me. I don't know if it was because all of the statues and crucifixes that were covered or because of the incense that filled my nostrils. It doesn't matter which it was, but what did matter was that I was there. Humility and love. That is what today was about for me. To know and to admit that yes, I am not perfect, I am a sinner and I will fall short again and again - is a very humbling feeling. At the same time, it is beyond comprehension to know that through all of that, I can still experience the full grace of God. The old spiritual which was first written down in 1811 sums it up best:

What wonderous love is this,
O my soul, o my soul?
What wonderous love is this,
O my soul?
What wonderous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse
For my soul,
For my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse
For my soul.

Throughout my life I've always tried to accept and understand the lows because, only then, would I truly be able to identify and appreciate the highs. Some may say that I'm strange. Life will take me through numerous lows, no doubt. However, my faith reminds me that I will never experience those lows alone. And that comforts me. On the other hand, the highs cause me to remember the acts of humility, gratitude and love because through the grace of God, I am able to receive those highs. Lesson #1 of many - Humility and Love.