What to say about this week?
Last Friday was the Cubs game. . . Super exciting, but Cubs lost. Other JVs from the southwest region were in the seats directly in front of us!!! It was a JVC miracle! So fun to get to see them!
Saturday and Sunday was a whole lot of nothing. I've been worried about my casamates, the future, my present. . . which has resulted in being uber anxious/restless all week, and it started then.
But I found ways to keep myself busy, with the pinnacle being dinner last night! On Sunday I made homemade pasta, and yesterday I made homemade sauce, caprese (actually all the slicing was Kathleen), and angel food cake with real whipped cream and strawberries.
Other activities this week have included meditation, gardening, reading, cleaning. . . you know, the usual JVC activities.
Work has been really relaxed (thank goodness) but still busy this week. We have been short staffed, but the new crop of summer volunteers will be coming in soon, so I won't be so busy at work.
Laura's triathlon (Escape from Alcatraz) is Sunday. So other than cheering her on, no other plans have been made.
Keep your thoughts and prayers with my family, namely my dad (it is Carnival time at my church and he's in charge!) and my Grandma B.
Toodles!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Feelings/Enough is Enough!
This year has been about growth, and I'm going to continue the trend. I don't like sharing my feelings (especially those of the not-so-happy kind) but I'm going to try for you. See, growth.
Everything was going fine. I was suppressing my anxiety. Instead of job applying, I was just casually looking. I updated my resume and was looking at job sites. Nothing really excited me.
But it was all going to work out.
This week was Anne's last week. She is starting a teaching fellowship in NYC. She knows what she is doing.
Me? Not so much.
But it's fine. It will all work out. I will find something.
Tuesday, the community went to a Giants v. Diamondbacks game. It was our last community outing.
Thursday was Anne's last full day. We ate chili, played rummy 500, and listened to our casa's awesome playlist, complete with Fleetwood Mac. *Le sigh.
Today.
I was supremely sad today. It was a mixture of Anne's leaving, anxiety for the future, and bad sinuses. (I went to urgent care on Wednesday because I was blowing out bloody mucus. They did nothing.)
Around 10 am, I decided to stop. Stop feeling bad. I have two months left. I have some wonderful plans ahead, including a mock wedding! Yes, I don't know what will happen in the future, nor do I have immediate plans after JVC, but I trust.
In about February, I was having a miniature future-freak out as well. My spiritual director, Sister Claire, gave me a plaque of her wall that says:
"I do not know the master plan, but it is comforting to know the Master has planned it and I am included."
I have two months left! Instead of dwelling on how fast it will go and the things I will be missing out on now or in the future (such as this job and my community), I will enjoy every second of it!
Enough is Enough (is Enough is Enough)!!
I pledge to you, loyal readers, I will stop worrying so much and LIVE IT UP!
In that spirit, I'm off to a Giants v. Cubs game in San Francisco! Go Cubbies!!!
Everything was going fine. I was suppressing my anxiety. Instead of job applying, I was just casually looking. I updated my resume and was looking at job sites. Nothing really excited me.
But it was all going to work out.
This week was Anne's last week. She is starting a teaching fellowship in NYC. She knows what she is doing.
Me? Not so much.
But it's fine. It will all work out. I will find something.
Tuesday, the community went to a Giants v. Diamondbacks game. It was our last community outing.
Thursday was Anne's last full day. We ate chili, played rummy 500, and listened to our casa's awesome playlist, complete with Fleetwood Mac. *Le sigh.
Today.
I was supremely sad today. It was a mixture of Anne's leaving, anxiety for the future, and bad sinuses. (I went to urgent care on Wednesday because I was blowing out bloody mucus. They did nothing.)
Around 10 am, I decided to stop. Stop feeling bad. I have two months left. I have some wonderful plans ahead, including a mock wedding! Yes, I don't know what will happen in the future, nor do I have immediate plans after JVC, but I trust.
In about February, I was having a miniature future-freak out as well. My spiritual director, Sister Claire, gave me a plaque of her wall that says:
"I do not know the master plan, but it is comforting to know the Master has planned it and I am included."
I have two months left! Instead of dwelling on how fast it will go and the things I will be missing out on now or in the future (such as this job and my community), I will enjoy every second of it!
Enough is Enough (is Enough is Enough)!!
I pledge to you, loyal readers, I will stop worrying so much and LIVE IT UP!
In that spirit, I'm off to a Giants v. Cubs game in San Francisco! Go Cubbies!!!
Friday, May 25, 2012
There She Goes. . . There She Goes Again. . .
I have limited time today, but a blog post was promised, so here it is!!
Since I posted on Tuesday, there hasn't been too much to comment on, but I'll do my best.
Tuesday was Anne's birthday! We had a talent show at the park where all but one of the acts was appropriate. I told really corny jokes in between acts!
Later on Anne's birthday we had salads from a takeout restaurant, gluten free cake balls, had a Glee recap from Anne, and then watched the season finale! Great times!
After work on Wednesday, I went out with Nick, Bridget and Andy. Fun, fun, fun!
Thursday was agenda meeting and community dinner of sandwiches and a corn/bean salad.
And now it's Friday! I'm off to a beer shop in Davis with two of my friends, and tonight is up in the air. Saturday, I'm having a picnic with my casa. No other plans except those. I will work on Monday.
Since I posted on Tuesday, there hasn't been too much to comment on, but I'll do my best.
Tuesday was Anne's birthday! We had a talent show at the park where all but one of the acts was appropriate. I told really corny jokes in between acts!
Later on Anne's birthday we had salads from a takeout restaurant, gluten free cake balls, had a Glee recap from Anne, and then watched the season finale! Great times!
After work on Wednesday, I went out with Nick, Bridget and Andy. Fun, fun, fun!
Thursday was agenda meeting and community dinner of sandwiches and a corn/bean salad.
And now it's Friday! I'm off to a beer shop in Davis with two of my friends, and tonight is up in the air. Saturday, I'm having a picnic with my casa. No other plans except those. I will work on Monday.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Oops! I did it again! (Forgot to write!!)
Hello readers! sorry for the long delay. . . I've been in Chicago for the past 2 Fridays!!
It's not Friday today, but I think I owed you an explanation and update.
So let's start from the very beginning, it's a very good place to start. Sunday, May 6th, til Wednesday, May 9th, I was gone on silent retreat. IT WAS WONDERFUL!! I cannot emphasize enough how helpful, calming, and just plain awesome it was to be silent! (Though I will admit, I broke my silence [accidentally] when I said, "Excuse me.") Though I didn't get much direction as to where I'll go next, I definitely got a direction.
The next day, was off to work again and regular community life.
Then, after half a day of work on Friday, I was off on a plane to Chicago!! I got in late that night, and the next morning was off to Holy Name Cathedral to see my BFF, Matt, get ordained a Chicago Archdiocesan priest!
The next day (Sunday) was Mother's day. I got to wear a new dress my mommy bought me, see my mother, both grandmas, and my sisters, along with a plethora of other family members!! Great day!
Monday and Tuesday were both lazy days, but I got to have lunch with FATHER Matt and dinner with my cousin Stephanie.
Wednesday was a day full of Grandmas, which was absolutely perfect!!
Thursday night I hung out with my college buddies, Brittany and Stephanie! It was great to see them and get the triumvirate together again!
Friday (May 18th), I had a relaxing lunch with my godmother, Aunt Judy, and spent a little time with my Grandma B, and then had homemade ravioli at my Aunt Mary and Uncle Caz's, with my parents, Aunt Cissy, Aunt Joanne, and the other matriarch, Grandma A! Homemade ravioli? Perfection!!
Saturday was my nieces' (Charlotte and Amelia's) birthday party! Fun was had by all! It was fantastic to see all my beautiful nieces!!
Sunday was Matt's first mass and reception! It was so fun to see everyone and be there to share in Matt's happiness and vocation!! It really is humbling (and cool!) to see such a young man on fire for Lord!
That brings me to today, Monday, May 21st. I boarded a plane this morning and am back in Sac before dinner! (Modern technology is great!)
I've been so blessed (and am so grateful) to have such wonderful family and friends, and I got to see them all!! It's been a blast!
Tomorrow is Anne's birthday and a talent show at Friendship Park! (Work, I've been told, was hectic this past week, because myself, Krystal, and the Americorps were all gone!) It will be good to go back!
Alright, I promise to get back on schedule now, but I wanted to write all that down first!
It's not Friday today, but I think I owed you an explanation and update.
So let's start from the very beginning, it's a very good place to start. Sunday, May 6th, til Wednesday, May 9th, I was gone on silent retreat. IT WAS WONDERFUL!! I cannot emphasize enough how helpful, calming, and just plain awesome it was to be silent! (Though I will admit, I broke my silence [accidentally] when I said, "Excuse me.") Though I didn't get much direction as to where I'll go next, I definitely got a direction.
The next day, was off to work again and regular community life.
Then, after half a day of work on Friday, I was off on a plane to Chicago!! I got in late that night, and the next morning was off to Holy Name Cathedral to see my BFF, Matt, get ordained a Chicago Archdiocesan priest!
The next day (Sunday) was Mother's day. I got to wear a new dress my mommy bought me, see my mother, both grandmas, and my sisters, along with a plethora of other family members!! Great day!
Monday and Tuesday were both lazy days, but I got to have lunch with FATHER Matt and dinner with my cousin Stephanie.
Wednesday was a day full of Grandmas, which was absolutely perfect!!
Thursday night I hung out with my college buddies, Brittany and Stephanie! It was great to see them and get the triumvirate together again!
Friday (May 18th), I had a relaxing lunch with my godmother, Aunt Judy, and spent a little time with my Grandma B, and then had homemade ravioli at my Aunt Mary and Uncle Caz's, with my parents, Aunt Cissy, Aunt Joanne, and the other matriarch, Grandma A! Homemade ravioli? Perfection!!
Saturday was my nieces' (Charlotte and Amelia's) birthday party! Fun was had by all! It was fantastic to see all my beautiful nieces!!
Sunday was Matt's first mass and reception! It was so fun to see everyone and be there to share in Matt's happiness and vocation!! It really is humbling (and cool!) to see such a young man on fire for Lord!
That brings me to today, Monday, May 21st. I boarded a plane this morning and am back in Sac before dinner! (Modern technology is great!)
I've been so blessed (and am so grateful) to have such wonderful family and friends, and I got to see them all!! It's been a blast!
Tomorrow is Anne's birthday and a talent show at Friendship Park! (Work, I've been told, was hectic this past week, because myself, Krystal, and the Americorps were all gone!) It will be good to go back!
Alright, I promise to get back on schedule now, but I wanted to write all that down first!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Step One, You Say, "We Need To Talk."
The blog post titles are song lyrics that pertain to the posts. This post will be in steps, and it has to do with talking. . . but that will become clear later.
Step 1: Yosemite
Last weekend my casa and I went to Yosemite. It was absolutely perfect!! I had never slept in a tent before or gone on a hike. We got to our campsite on Friday night, set up, and made a bonfire. By midnight we were asleep. We all awoke relatively early on Saturday, went to Yosemite Valley, hiked up the John Muir Trail to Vernon Falls, and then took the Mist Trail down. (It was about 9 miles round trip, about 4,000 ft elevation difference. . . thereabouts.)
The Mist Trail was terrifying! It was a very soaked set of rock stairs about 2 feet in width, with people coming up and down! (Fun fact: More people have died on the Mist Trail than any other trail. . .) Honestly, it wasn't that bad. I just concentrated on my feet and getting to solid ground more than I took in the views. Good thing for cameras and caring casa-mates!
After this hike we went to Mirror Lake (about a two mile hike) and just rested. Then we went back to our camp, had dinner (hot dogs and chili!) and s'mores! ("First you put the 'mallow" was repeated several times.)
On Sunday we cleaned up our site, and went to hike in Tuolumne Grove, a forest of Giant Sequoias! Alice led us in a tree meditation, which was a perfect end to a great vacation!
Oh, and we saw a bear. Thankfully, we were in a car and the bear would have eaten all the people taking pictures before us.
Step 2: The Work Week
The park was closed on Tuesday (and will remain closed until next Tuesday) for summer maintenance. I painted all week!! Though I get frustrated often during painting, it was really relaxing in general. (The shorter hours didn't hurt either!) It was really tough on the guests, but the park got a much needed spruce!
After work I went to go see The Raven with Krystal, Travis, and Avery. It was great to see a movie. . . even a bad one. . . Another night Travis and I drove to UC Davis to hear Ron Paul speak. Although it wasn't very audible (the people behind us were quite vocal) it was very interesting to be a part of.
Step 3: The Weekend
Tonight I will be going to "A Concert in the Park" with Cait, some casa-mates, and other Sacramento friends. Saturday will be a cleaning day (my room is a pigsty!) and probably something fun that night, but no plans of yet.
Sunday morning I will go to church and then . . .
Step 4: Silence
Sunday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon, I will be on Silent Retreat in Northern CA. That's at least 72 hours of no talking. (We get to talk for an hour a day to our Spiritual Director on Monday and Tuesday, but that's it.) I have a few books I plan on bringing (including a Bible and a journal) but who knows what I'll do. (Probably sleep, walk, read, and think.)
Please pray for me to keep an open heart.
Step 1: Yosemite
Last weekend my casa and I went to Yosemite. It was absolutely perfect!! I had never slept in a tent before or gone on a hike. We got to our campsite on Friday night, set up, and made a bonfire. By midnight we were asleep. We all awoke relatively early on Saturday, went to Yosemite Valley, hiked up the John Muir Trail to Vernon Falls, and then took the Mist Trail down. (It was about 9 miles round trip, about 4,000 ft elevation difference. . . thereabouts.)
The Mist Trail was terrifying! It was a very soaked set of rock stairs about 2 feet in width, with people coming up and down! (Fun fact: More people have died on the Mist Trail than any other trail. . .) Honestly, it wasn't that bad. I just concentrated on my feet and getting to solid ground more than I took in the views. Good thing for cameras and caring casa-mates!
After this hike we went to Mirror Lake (about a two mile hike) and just rested. Then we went back to our camp, had dinner (hot dogs and chili!) and s'mores! ("First you put the 'mallow" was repeated several times.)
On Sunday we cleaned up our site, and went to hike in Tuolumne Grove, a forest of Giant Sequoias! Alice led us in a tree meditation, which was a perfect end to a great vacation!
Oh, and we saw a bear. Thankfully, we were in a car and the bear would have eaten all the people taking pictures before us.
Step 2: The Work Week
The park was closed on Tuesday (and will remain closed until next Tuesday) for summer maintenance. I painted all week!! Though I get frustrated often during painting, it was really relaxing in general. (The shorter hours didn't hurt either!) It was really tough on the guests, but the park got a much needed spruce!
After work I went to go see The Raven with Krystal, Travis, and Avery. It was great to see a movie. . . even a bad one. . . Another night Travis and I drove to UC Davis to hear Ron Paul speak. Although it wasn't very audible (the people behind us were quite vocal) it was very interesting to be a part of.
Step 3: The Weekend
Tonight I will be going to "A Concert in the Park" with Cait, some casa-mates, and other Sacramento friends. Saturday will be a cleaning day (my room is a pigsty!) and probably something fun that night, but no plans of yet.
Sunday morning I will go to church and then . . .
Step 4: Silence
Sunday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon, I will be on Silent Retreat in Northern CA. That's at least 72 hours of no talking. (We get to talk for an hour a day to our Spiritual Director on Monday and Tuesday, but that's it.) I have a few books I plan on bringing (including a Bible and a journal) but who knows what I'll do. (Probably sleep, walk, read, and think.)
Please pray for me to keep an open heart.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Here We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder!
Last weekend was fun- Bicycle Day at Loaves and Fishes Saturday morning, extra volunteer work at L&F on Sunday, and then an Eve 6 concert on Sunday night!
This week has been pretty usual at the park. . . seizures, fights, joy, laughter, heartbreak, pain.
As a staff member of Friendship Park, we are not supposed to have favorites. We are to treat as guest with the same kindness, trust, and respect that we treat everybody with.
Though we all try to hold this ethic, every green hat has their favorite. . . I'm not prepared to say David is my favorite, but I do give him a little extra attention.
David is very mentally ill, and just lost his dad recently.
Monday, he was barefoot when I first saw him. I got him a pair of shoes with lime green laces. He loved them. He was seen later that day barefoot again.
Tuesday, he had shaved and was wearing the shoes again. He mentioned Bicycle Day and wanted a bike. (We had a few left over, but I didn't tell him this.)
Wednesday, I saw him smoking a cigarette. Instead of rolling papers, he used pages of the Bible. Jim said it was a burnt offering.
Thursday, after a bit of nagging on my end, we got him a leftover bike! When I rolled it out to him he said, "Holy s***! Holy s***! I won't sell this for dope! Holy s***! I'm keeping it forever!"
He then proceeded to work on it for the rest of the day.
Friday (today), I saw him. I did not see the bike.
Wherever that bike is, it is going to make someone happy- hopefully it is David.
Maybe David has the bike somewhere, maybe he doesn't. He deserves a break from his pain (like all of our guests), and at least I got to see the joy in him for a few brief hours.
*******
Now I'm off to YOSEMITE with my casa-mates!! This my first time camping and hiking! Though I'm scared of being eaten by bears and mountain lions, slipping and dying on the Mist Trail, and other camping related injuries, I'm trying it! And I'm going to have a great time!!
This week has been pretty usual at the park. . . seizures, fights, joy, laughter, heartbreak, pain.
As a staff member of Friendship Park, we are not supposed to have favorites. We are to treat as guest with the same kindness, trust, and respect that we treat everybody with.
Though we all try to hold this ethic, every green hat has their favorite. . . I'm not prepared to say David is my favorite, but I do give him a little extra attention.
David is very mentally ill, and just lost his dad recently.
Monday, he was barefoot when I first saw him. I got him a pair of shoes with lime green laces. He loved them. He was seen later that day barefoot again.
Tuesday, he had shaved and was wearing the shoes again. He mentioned Bicycle Day and wanted a bike. (We had a few left over, but I didn't tell him this.)
Wednesday, I saw him smoking a cigarette. Instead of rolling papers, he used pages of the Bible. Jim said it was a burnt offering.
Thursday, after a bit of nagging on my end, we got him a leftover bike! When I rolled it out to him he said, "Holy s***! Holy s***! I won't sell this for dope! Holy s***! I'm keeping it forever!"
He then proceeded to work on it for the rest of the day.
Friday (today), I saw him. I did not see the bike.
Wherever that bike is, it is going to make someone happy- hopefully it is David.
Maybe David has the bike somewhere, maybe he doesn't. He deserves a break from his pain (like all of our guests), and at least I got to see the joy in him for a few brief hours.
*******
Now I'm off to YOSEMITE with my casa-mates!! This my first time camping and hiking! Though I'm scared of being eaten by bears and mountain lions, slipping and dying on the Mist Trail, and other camping related injuries, I'm trying it! And I'm going to have a great time!!
Friday, April 20, 2012
NorthCal is Where my Mind States (But It's Not my State of Mind)
Seeing my family and a few friends last week was such a blessing! I saw most of my mom's side at my cousin Susie's wedding (Congrats!), my grandma B, my aunt Judy and her family, all my sisters and their husbands (sans Tom) and daughters, my mom and dad (of course!!) and friends Brittany, Sarah, Matt, and Bill.
What more could I ask for from a week vacation?
I got back to Sacramento on Wednesday night, and went to work the next morning. Sadly, there had been numerous fights, threats, assaults, and substance abuse. The bosses decided to shut the park down for Friday in an attempt to curb bad behavior.
Today gave me an excellent chance to catch up on the work I missed and have some fun time, too!
Tomorrow will be bicycle day at the park!! There is a junior high school about an hour away that makes and repairs bikes as a part of the curricular. When the students finish a bike, they can choose to keep it or donate it to Loaves & Fishes. Some of the students are taking a field trip to L&F tomorrow to raffle them away and help the guests repair their current bicycles. It will be a great day!!
As for plans this weekend. . . hm. I'm just going to Bike Day tomorrow at the park and an Eve 6 concert on Sunday with friends Nick and Bridget!! No other endeavors have been premeditated, but I'm sure something fun will happen!
What more could I ask for from a week vacation?
I got back to Sacramento on Wednesday night, and went to work the next morning. Sadly, there had been numerous fights, threats, assaults, and substance abuse. The bosses decided to shut the park down for Friday in an attempt to curb bad behavior.
Today gave me an excellent chance to catch up on the work I missed and have some fun time, too!
Tomorrow will be bicycle day at the park!! There is a junior high school about an hour away that makes and repairs bikes as a part of the curricular. When the students finish a bike, they can choose to keep it or donate it to Loaves & Fishes. Some of the students are taking a field trip to L&F tomorrow to raffle them away and help the guests repair their current bicycles. It will be a great day!!
As for plans this weekend. . . hm. I'm just going to Bike Day tomorrow at the park and an Eve 6 concert on Sunday with friends Nick and Bridget!! No other endeavors have been premeditated, but I'm sure something fun will happen!
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