Kate: Tell you what - in August, if we lose the primary and you aren't at the next job yet, we'll just move up there and job-hunt from the dock. We'll import Jesse every few days so you don't do into withdrawals.



















Above is the view from the dock at the Wilberding Family Cottage that my friend is referring to. I think it's a brilliant plan. What could be more "paradise" than this? And what better way to spend the day looking for jobs than with your feet skimming the top of the water as they dangle off the sun-warmed dock?

Back To College (Because we're Old Like That)

What do you get when you mix Alpha Sigs, jungle juice, jello shots, FUBAR, a keg, beer pong, and a wicked game of hide and seek? You get a Saturday of good friends partying like the frat boys they weren't in college. Oh and lets not forget a guest appearance by our "crazy Asian friend, Johnny Lin"!

I honestly don't think I've laughed so hard in my life. I had a blast listening to R wax poetic about Cedar Point, two sides, and centemeters.... (I am not sure I could logically explain all of that so I apologize but lets just say he was attempting to tell us about making sure to take care of women.) I loved witnessing the effects of 167 jello shots combined with a gigantic vat of jungle juice.

It was just so amusing to me that most of us present didn't party like this in college and are now kindergarten and middle school teachers. I don't know, it just struck me. Especially that, nerdy as we all are, we had to tripple check that the keg had been tapped correctly. Only these guys....

When You Wish Upon A Star. . .

Yes, I am That Girl; the one who scoured the woods looking under leaves and rocks for frog princes. When I found them I would kiss and kiss them some more, wishing and hoping they would transform in front of my very eyes into Prince Charming. Having grown up on classic Disney fairy tales I distinctly remember believing that it was possible.

From my earliest memories fairy tales have shaped my view on the world. I can remember standing outside of OLQM in Detroit staring up at the first twinkling stars in the early night sky and wishing with all my might, "Star light star bright first star I see tonight. I wish I may I wish I might get the wish I wish tonight." I closed my eyes and asked for a tabby kitten. I doubt I would have done that if I hadn't believed Jiminy Cricket. A few years later after moving to Greenville my grandmother brought me to the side of the road where I resued a little tabby kitten, Tiger. I had kept that secret wish to myself and yet it came true. From that moment on I never doubted a wish made upon a star.

Classic fairy tales were and still are my favorite. Give me Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, or Cinderella any day. I have several versions of the books and movies. I couldn't seem to get enough of them. But then again, I have always been a traditionalist. I have always wanted to find my Prince Charming. I have always wanted the big "Cinderella dress". I have always wanted a white picket fence. Sometimes I would find it hard to believe that it could happen to me, but I never once doubted that true love existed: not once.

Then along came an adventure. It really is amazing how much my life has mirrored the fairy tale story arch. I came of age and left my home on a grand adventure, leaving everything behind to find myself in a whole new world. And then when I least expected it love managed to find me. When you strip away the castles and evil nemesis you are left with a reality even more wonderful than any tale that could be told. Why? Because for the first time the tale becomes real. I became the heroine and the frog prince magically transformed into the fraternity brother across the poker table... and it hit me like a hurricane. (Please forgive the cliche.) Everything I had been dreaming of and waiting for and wishing on stars for was possible. Because I realized that he was set on this earth as a gift just for me. He is my other half. And even though he may not wear a golden crown he is Prince Charming.

I think Disney was on to something. Hope: and an eternal truth more wonderful than I could have imagined.

The second star to the right
Shines in the night for you
To tell you that the dreams you plan
Really can come true
The second star to the right
Shines with a light that's rare
And if it's Never Land you need
It's light will lead you there
Twinkle, twinkle little star
So I'll know where you are
Gleaming in the skies above
Lead me to the one who loves me
And when you bring him my way
Each time we say "Goodnight"
We'll thank the little star that shines
The second from the right
~ Peter Pan

Gloria

For the first time in my life I attended the Easter Vigil. At the start of last week I had no intentions of actually going because in all honesty, I had no idea what it was. All I knew: it was long....
Something must have sparked my curiosity for I found myself all over Wikipedia looking up the Easter Vigil; its traditions, rituals, practices around the world. You name it I was reading about it. Naturally, with my flair for the dramatic, once I read about churches in darkness, candle lit processions, unveiling of draped statues, Latin hymns, and climactic lighting I had to see for myself this mysterious mass.

I invited the two women who have been the most pivotal in my faith journey. (I am so happy the attended with me.) I don't know why I was so nervous. I had butterflies in my stomach the entire way to the Cathedral. (I like to attend all the major masses at the Archdiocese: The Cathedral of St. Andrew.) I knew this was the place to be if I wanted to witness something spectacular in terms of Catholic ritual and tradition. Unlike many modern churchgoers, I absolutely love and in many ways need the traditions of Catholicism. Electric guitars and laser light slide shows do absolutely nothing for me. I need my service to be separate from my everyday life. I need it to feel reverent and special, like something grand and bigger than the day to day.

I was not disappointed. We began the mass outside in the piazza congregated around the Easter fire awaiting the lighting of the Paschal Candle. I don't know why but the image of our bishop in his funny hat and his shining silver shepherd's hook was striking. There was something about it. We then followed the processional into the darkened cathedral for the Service of Light in which the the candle is carried by our bishop through the sanctuary, itself in complete darkness, stopping three times to chant 'Christ our Light', to which we responded 'Thanks be to God'. We then all light our own candles from the Paschal Candle, each symbolically receiving the light of Christ. We now held the first part of the mass in candle light.

The readings were sung Gregorian chant style, something I particularly appreciated. And then it was time for the Gloria..... my favorite piece of music written for a Catholic mass. This time it was one of the most moving and inspiring moments I've ever had.

Refrain: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
1. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. (Refrain)
2. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. (Refrain)
3. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God, the Father. Amen! Amen! (Refrain)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P45LGcOFsPs

The entire congregation joined three choirs, a brass section, strings, and percussion sections in singing. Each time we sang "Glory to God in the hightest" the lights in the cathedral got a little bit brighter until the very end when we sang it for a final time. The lights brightened to their max, the timpani, other instruments, and voices crescendoed. . . It was powerful. I wish I could better describe the feeling I had. The absolute peacefulness and contentment that filled my mind and body.

The remainder of mass went similarly for me. Each time another sung prayer or ancient ritual occured something in me stirred. I haven't had that happen to me all that often and I can't wait for that to happen again. I spent most of the hour carride home in silent cintemplation and prayer. Not the formal Hail Mary or Our Father but mostly just exhistance with God; relfection on the service I was just a part of, reflection and thanks for all the wonderful things and people in my life, gratitude for the birds and budding trees.....
I hope this wonderful feeling lasts.

Kate and I are going to attend the cathedral at least once a month. And we are going to make a point of going for special occaisions/holidays.

Now I Remember Why I Hate Games......

The game of chess is a lot more difficult than I remember it being. If I recall correctly I used to be pretty awesome at it. Not so much anymore.... I was swiftly beaten by Jesse's superior ability to think more than two moves ahead. I believe it took him under 10 minutes to place me in check mate. . . Damn. (This inability to think ahead is why I am also a terrible card player.)
It was like I was 6 again. I was furious that I had lost so quickly and so thoroughly. I felt so dumb! I lashed out. I don't remember what I yelled but I know I did. And I recall wanting to hit something but instead I cried. This of course made me feel even more dumb. Anyway, after that initial game we ended up playing at any opportunity that presented itself; sans tears. It's actually a lot of fun!














......Or so I thought.......
Jesse came home later in the week with Axis and Allies which is, as it turns out, just a glorified game of chess with twice the amount of really tiny pieces. I spent most of the game in a disproportionate amount of rage and tenseness. I really don't know why games get to me so badly. Jesse started the game kicking my butt, then I was winning for a while..... um yeah, I had to concede. After 5 hours of play there was no way I was going to be able to win. :(



I hate games. (But secretly I have really enjoyed playing them with Jesse. Shhh. Don't tell.)

Full Tilt

Sometimes it worries me how out of tune I can be with my own body. I mean, who knew a uterus could tilt? Not that mine is; the doctor ruled that one out. It also concerns me that when discussing tiled uteri, the image of Saturn on a full tilt pops into my head. Maybe in my head it represents the mysteries of womanhood and all that..... or maybe I'm just silly. Both are equally possible.

On a slightly related topic the earthquake in Chile caused the earth to tilt on it's axis therefore shortening the day by 1.26 microseconds.... Again I say, "Who knew?"

The Art of Womanliness

Thanks to the wonderful networking of Facebook and my abilities to be a creepy stalker on it, I managed to stumble upon a most delightful, enlightening and entertaining website: The Art of Manliness. I was so hoping to discover a link to a sister site regarding womanliness but alas, none such website exists.

After reading on the forums that I was not the only woman to express an interest in a such a site, I have decided that perhaps there isn't one because women are so complex. Not that men aren't, just that there are some interesting dimensions to take into consideration. Feminism, for example raises some issues about what to include or not include. Just exactly what is the perfect woman? Personally, I don't feel that just because I like perfume and high heels, and baking it means that I can't like swinging a hammer and playing football. I happen to do all of the above and then some. But I do feel there is something to ettiquette, grace, and how to handle oneself with respect and dignity. There inherently are differences between men and women. One can not avoid that.

It would be wonderful to have a place that celebrates all those aspect of womanliness. Things to include could be being a good hostess, running a business, running a household, organizing, etiquette for all kinds of social situations, how to change your flat tire, fashion....you name it. In the words of one contributor to the thread, "The Art Of Womanliness should be a site that teaches,edifies and encourages woman to learn how to become real with themselves and the people that love them. Strong character with a strong back-bone. Beauty within and grace that can be seen."

Women today are often presented with confusing and often time contradictory ideas of what it means to be a woman. Many women struggle with traditional roles for women and others struggle with the intense pressure of modern society to have it all; house, family, career when all they really want is to be a stay at home mom. This can lead to guilt at "betraying" the good aspects of the feminist movement that helped to give us the rights we have today. The bottom line is this. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be the CEO. There is nothing wrong with wanting to shape the people who will become our future. There is nothing wrong with wanting it all. I feel like it all comes down to what was mentioned above. You have to be true to yourself. As long as it it your decision, go for it!

To be womanly is many things. It is confidence. It is grace. It is knowing how to create that balance for yourself, never compromising your beliefs and recognizing when you are wrong. It is respectful and caring. Sometimes it means pulling off the perfect diner party for your husband's co-workers and sometimes it means changing the oil in your car.