Yesterday, I was introduced to a calorie counter which made me realize something: I'm very lucky I monitored myself during Lent last year when I was fasting. My caloric intake was less than half of what's recommended, and while I was trying to choose items that would be healthy, give me energy, and help me make it through the day, I realized I don't really have a baseline for my eating habits, and I should probably start there. As such, I have decided to change my Lent fast into something a bit more productive (and also wanted to own up to it). I'm going to monitor what I eat, and try to stay towards the minimum requirements for a days' caloric intake, as well as supplement with exercise.
I'm actually quite excited about this. It's been really interesting putting everything I ate into this calculator all day. I've learned that practically every undoctored doesn't add a thing. I also learned some surprising facts about some of the things I've been eating, like peanut butter and a glass of milk. Having something at my fingertips which calculates what I'm going to eat has also helped me to rethink what I might have eaten/drunk too, or when I'll eat. It's a lot easier to want to forgo snacking on something when it's on hand and you can see exactly how much it skews those numbers.
I'm also looking forward to using this website to gauge what my homemade recipes are like. I've never really taken the time to see how healthy the meals I prepare are, even though when I cook I try to make things that are healthier than what I would get if I ate out.
Yeah...maybe I'm a little too excited about this, but it's nice to have such a tool at my disposal. Sometimes the 'future' is really handy.
Showing posts with label lent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lent. Show all posts
February 20, 2015
February 2, 2015
Get Ready for an Epic Adventure...
In 2012, two women determined to make and keep Lenten resolutions...
In 2014, they made it clear their resolve for Lent was irresolute...
This year....FEBRUARY 18TH....Lent gets....resolutional...
2015 LENT BLOG.....
Krangela
In 2013, they reunited once again in mutual Lenten resoluteness....
It's why we do this blog
In 2014, they made it clear their resolve for Lent was irresolute...
He sees what I did there
This year....FEBRUARY 18TH....Lent gets....resolutional...
Hey...making up words works for Colbert
2015 LENT BLOG.....
It's coming
March 19, 2014
Updates and Sparkles
I had a totally awesome day today. The only job I had to do was a sub job and when I got there, it turned out to be a paid full day job that I only had to stay a half day for. The particular grade level I was teaching made it so teachers have team meetings all afternoon and a planning period. When I asked the office if they needed me anywhere else, they told me no and to have a great day. Well it was a great day!
I went to bother my sister and her coworkers at work, then I came home and cooked a tasty steak dinner for my sister. I'll probably spend some time reading scripture before too long tonight, because I feel like reading some. I probably should have done that before I started this post.
Which reminds me, it's been forever since I've done an update on lent:
Still fasting!
The cursing thing needs work, still working on that. Cold turkey is awfully hard, but at least I'm more aware of the way I talk.
I have found myself much more outgoing towards others lately! Even if I don't feel like being outgoing inside, I've been sucking it up and trying to work through those issues instead of laboring on in misery about them. As such, I'm a much happier person! I came to the realization (which is sort of a dumb one, because you'd think that would be obvious) that I could either make the conscious choice to be upset or happy and have been choosing to be happier. This is difficult when I'm frustrated because I'm hungry, only eating very lightly for days on end, but I'm more relaxed and forgiving towards others. It's not perfect, but it's a start!
I've also added a workout routine to what I've been doing, but that's not for Lent. It's just something else to do. I intend to be in better shape. I'm not sure I'm seeing much in the way of results, but I also just started. It will take time. I'm totally hopeful!
I went to bother my sister and her coworkers at work, then I came home and cooked a tasty steak dinner for my sister. I'll probably spend some time reading scripture before too long tonight, because I feel like reading some. I probably should have done that before I started this post.
Which reminds me, it's been forever since I've done an update on lent:
Still fasting!
The cursing thing needs work, still working on that. Cold turkey is awfully hard, but at least I'm more aware of the way I talk.
I have found myself much more outgoing towards others lately! Even if I don't feel like being outgoing inside, I've been sucking it up and trying to work through those issues instead of laboring on in misery about them. As such, I'm a much happier person! I came to the realization (which is sort of a dumb one, because you'd think that would be obvious) that I could either make the conscious choice to be upset or happy and have been choosing to be happier. This is difficult when I'm frustrated because I'm hungry, only eating very lightly for days on end, but I'm more relaxed and forgiving towards others. It's not perfect, but it's a start!
I've also added a workout routine to what I've been doing, but that's not for Lent. It's just something else to do. I intend to be in better shape. I'm not sure I'm seeing much in the way of results, but I also just started. It will take time. I'm totally hopeful!
March 11, 2014
Update on Lent Progress
I spent today in a constant state of near tears. I don't know why, but I keep thinking about those kids who were offset in Syria. I was imagining them walking miles without food, not knowing where they were going or whether they were going to be okay. I think about them stuck in a foreign land, impoverished, struggling to get educated and to survive. I'm starting to get a better idea of what it feels like to be hungry all the time. At least I don't have to worry where my next meal will come from or if I'll be alright. However, today I realized that anytime I eat food, it's not enjoyable. Eating anything is starting to feel more like a chore. I'm only eating light meals, so I'm never satisfied, and getting something on my stomach just makes me realize how hungry I still am.
On the other hand, I've started remembering scripture passages and prayers I never knew I had memorized/internalized. It's kind of amazing. Yesterday, I started thinking about some Psalms I don't recall ever memorizing, and today I was thinking about some passages from the New Testament. I wish I could remember what they were now. The down side to all of this is that my memory seems to be getting worse lately. I wandered around in a circle at work today, trying to remember what I'd just started doing. I'm not even really tired. I've been sleeping well. I'm going to have to re-evaluate the kinds of foods I've been eating and see if I can balance out a little better. I barely remembered to post tonight!
On the other hand, I've started remembering scripture passages and prayers I never knew I had memorized/internalized. It's kind of amazing. Yesterday, I started thinking about some Psalms I don't recall ever memorizing, and today I was thinking about some passages from the New Testament. I wish I could remember what they were now. The down side to all of this is that my memory seems to be getting worse lately. I wandered around in a circle at work today, trying to remember what I'd just started doing. I'm not even really tired. I've been sleeping well. I'm going to have to re-evaluate the kinds of foods I've been eating and see if I can balance out a little better. I barely remembered to post tonight!
March 10, 2014
Slowing Down
After the past month and a half of working double shifts, I finally decided to try take it easy this week. I have more days off than usual at my main job, which makes it a little stressful for me to consider not taking sub jobs (especially when I enjoy subbing more than my main job). However, after yesterday's homily at my church, I wanted to try to redirect some of my time towards other things.
Part of the reason for this is recognizing that with my pseudo-fasting for Lent, I don't have the energy I'm used to having. The other part was realizing that I've been forgetting a LOT of things lately because I'm just so busy. I also don't know that what I'm busy with are necessarily things that ought to occupy all of my time. I wonder what I will discover by the end of this week.
Goals for this week: read more scripture, pray more, try to be present in the moment, offer more thanks than petition during prayer.
Part of the reason for this is recognizing that with my pseudo-fasting for Lent, I don't have the energy I'm used to having. The other part was realizing that I've been forgetting a LOT of things lately because I'm just so busy. I also don't know that what I'm busy with are necessarily things that ought to occupy all of my time. I wonder what I will discover by the end of this week.
Goals for this week: read more scripture, pray more, try to be present in the moment, offer more thanks than petition during prayer.
March 5, 2014
Ash Wednesday!
This year is my first Ash Wednesday as an official Catholic. Last year, Ash Wednesday was one of my favorite services, but I was sad because I couldn't participate in mass proper. This year, I was able, and it was pretty neat. However, I think my favorite part about this year was helping serve soup instead of helping to make it.
Our Parish requires a day of fasting, but that just means you eat two light meals and you're done for the day. It was nice to be able to serve people one of those two meals. They were all really thankful to receive it! I know I was really thankful to eat dinner tonight after going most of the day with only a light breakfast. I'm glad that we weren't required to fast all day, though. I remember fasting on Good Friday and how difficult that was!
In preparation this year, I was considering adding eating only two light meals a day to my Lent list. I actually feel like I have more energy after doing this today, and even though I'm kind of hungry, I don't feel like it would be terrible to cut down the amount of food I eat. Not to mention I can see how it would make me cook less portions, waste less, and lose weight, so all around good things!
This year, I feel like I'm in a much better place to give up more for Lent and to stick with it than I have been in the past, so I'm going to give this a try!
Lent list of give-ups/add-ons:
Our Parish requires a day of fasting, but that just means you eat two light meals and you're done for the day. It was nice to be able to serve people one of those two meals. They were all really thankful to receive it! I know I was really thankful to eat dinner tonight after going most of the day with only a light breakfast. I'm glad that we weren't required to fast all day, though. I remember fasting on Good Friday and how difficult that was!
In preparation this year, I was considering adding eating only two light meals a day to my Lent list. I actually feel like I have more energy after doing this today, and even though I'm kind of hungry, I don't feel like it would be terrible to cut down the amount of food I eat. Not to mention I can see how it would make me cook less portions, waste less, and lose weight, so all around good things!
This year, I feel like I'm in a much better place to give up more for Lent and to stick with it than I have been in the past, so I'm going to give this a try!
Lent list of give-ups/add-ons:
- Daily Blog of course
- Eating two light meals and supplement with one light snack/day
- Stop swearing
- Be more outgoing towards others, including praying more for others
March 1, 2014
Coming this Lent...
The epic tail of two women and their lives continues. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll read like you've never read before. This year, it gets personal. And then it gets personal again.
March 30, 2013
Christ is Risen
You'll have to forgive the disjointed nature of this post. I'm rather on an emotional high right now, so I'm going to be typing excitedly and I don't overly care much about coherency.
The ceremony at our church was pretty cool. They do a candle light ceremony for Easter. I have never been to one of those before. It started with the lighting of the fire then the lighting of the Jesus candle, then all of us got a lit candle which we shared with the rest of the congregation. My candle didn't want to stay lit. It went out twice. I was not to be deterred by an extinguished candle, however.
This entire time during Lent, the Church doesn't ring the bells during mass. This is like, my favorite part of mass, so it's pretty sad for me. I always wait for the bells to ring during the mysteries, but they don't for nearly two months. Then today, the bells just rang and rang. It was totally awesome! The bells coupled with the incense and candles made for a very surreal experience.
I think more than anything, the point in mass that really got to me the most, however, was being able to participate in the Eucharist finally. I have to admit, I cried. One has to understand that this has been an extremely emotional journey for me. I had always intended for my first communion in the church to be taken with my grandmother, but she passed away before this could happen. I still think she was there with me tonight.
Today is the last day of Lent. Jesus has returned from the dead and all is right with the world. I'll probably do a follow up post tomorrow just to finish out Easter anyway. Maybe that one will be more coherent. One can only hope. For now, I think I'm just going to go to bed. It has been a very long and very rewarding day.
Good night all, and hello to all of my new Catholic family!
The ceremony at our church was pretty cool. They do a candle light ceremony for Easter. I have never been to one of those before. It started with the lighting of the fire then the lighting of the Jesus candle, then all of us got a lit candle which we shared with the rest of the congregation. My candle didn't want to stay lit. It went out twice. I was not to be deterred by an extinguished candle, however.
This entire time during Lent, the Church doesn't ring the bells during mass. This is like, my favorite part of mass, so it's pretty sad for me. I always wait for the bells to ring during the mysteries, but they don't for nearly two months. Then today, the bells just rang and rang. It was totally awesome! The bells coupled with the incense and candles made for a very surreal experience.
I think more than anything, the point in mass that really got to me the most, however, was being able to participate in the Eucharist finally. I have to admit, I cried. One has to understand that this has been an extremely emotional journey for me. I had always intended for my first communion in the church to be taken with my grandmother, but she passed away before this could happen. I still think she was there with me tonight.
Today is the last day of Lent. Jesus has returned from the dead and all is right with the world. I'll probably do a follow up post tomorrow just to finish out Easter anyway. Maybe that one will be more coherent. One can only hope. For now, I think I'm just going to go to bed. It has been a very long and very rewarding day.
Good night all, and hello to all of my new Catholic family!
March 14, 2013
Elation!
Last night was pretty much my last class. It wasn't all that interesting, except my sister couldn't find a babysitter so my nephew was along for the night. The most exciting part of the evening, however, was coming home to song after song of awesome rock music.
Now, the problem when I listen to the radio and it's playing awesome rock music, is that I have a tendency to drive a little over the limit...and like a maniac...all over the road...as I rock out. I don't club and I don't really dance, but for some reason the combination of a vehicle capable of high speeds and awesome rock makes me insane. But in this case, I think it was worth it!
After tonight, I have exactly six classes and one exit interview left on campus and student teaching. In two weeks, I will be Catholic.
This journey is almost coming to an end....and so is Lent and our Lent Blog. It's like a great big culmination!
Now, the problem when I listen to the radio and it's playing awesome rock music, is that I have a tendency to drive a little over the limit...and like a maniac...all over the road...as I rock out. I don't club and I don't really dance, but for some reason the combination of a vehicle capable of high speeds and awesome rock makes me insane. But in this case, I think it was worth it!
After tonight, I have exactly six classes and one exit interview left on campus and student teaching. In two weeks, I will be Catholic.
This journey is almost coming to an end....and so is Lent and our Lent Blog. It's like a great big culmination!
March 10, 2013
Sunday post
So since I missed one day last week (that no one even noticed), Kris is making me post on Sunday to make up for it. That's right, Kris has become the lent blog police. It's a serious task which involves monitoring the writing habits of two individuals during lent, herself included. That means I'm the only one who gets in trouble if I don't write.
Actually we should be holding each other accountable but.... I've got other shit to do. Not as much stuff as Kris... but stuff. Besides she's really good at monitoring herself. I'd hate to take that away from her. Because I love her. With love. And kittens.
March 5, 2013
Oh no!
I can't believe I forgot to blog yesterday. I guess I've officially failed lent this year. I'm gonna blame pregnancy brain. It's seriously starting to get me. There was a lot of small things today that made me feel stupid. Then yesterday I was driving around with Kayla and I kept forgetting where I was going. *sigh* It's gonna be a fun 4 months. Then when the baby's actually here, I'll continue to be stupid from sleep deprivation.
Anyway, yesterday Kayla and I went to Walmart and she bought our baby a Captain America onesie and a little tshirt with a dinosaur and robot fighting! They're both adorable. It's nice to have friends who just wanna buy your baby stuff cause it's cute. This baby is gonna be so spoiled :)
February 28, 2013
My Son: Batman
Today I was browsing the interwebs for a cute super hero onesie because who doesn't want their baby to look like a mini super hero? I mean it would be nice for the whole family to have matching Batman t-shirts for the Christmas card. Anyway, I came across this: our child's soon to be very first Halloween costume!
I realize there is a toddler in this picture but the size chart says it comes in a "0-6 month" size. He'll be about 4 months at Halloween so I figure it should be a pretty safe bet.
On a related note, is anyone having a 'bring your baby' Halloween party? I think he'll be a little young for trick or treating and probably too young for a 'let's all get drunk in costumes' party. What else is there to do on Halloween? He'll be too cute to just leave at home with a sitter. Nobody puts Batman in a corner. He has tools. He will get vengeance.
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| Surprised? Then you don't know me at all |
On a related note, is anyone having a 'bring your baby' Halloween party? I think he'll be a little young for trick or treating and probably too young for a 'let's all get drunk in costumes' party. What else is there to do on Halloween? He'll be too cute to just leave at home with a sitter. Nobody puts Batman in a corner. He has tools. He will get vengeance.
February 27, 2013
Writing at work
Today I am blogging with pen and paper because I am currently subbing for a bunch of self-directed, well-behaved students which means I'm bored as shit. There is literally nothing for me to do but sit up here and pretend to be busy by writing in my notebook that I am now very glad I brought. Sure, there's a picture of Batman and Robin on the front but as long as I keep the cover flipped back, no one has to know. It's a pretty awesome picture though. It's kind of a shame none of the students get to see it. Even if I did flip it around, they're too busy working diligently to notice.
I'm getting paid to be bored right now. Sometimes life is kinda awesome. I wish being bored for money was more steady work. Or I should say, being bored for good money. I know there's a lot of minimum wage jobs out there that involve sitting around waiting for customers. I don't really wanna do that. Mainly cause you're always supposed to look busy and trying to find things to do so your boss can get the most out of their $8 an hour can be exhausting. My boss can't even see me right now. I don't even really know who my boss is. I guess it would be the principal but that changes almost daily if I go to different schools. There's a lady I can call at the district office but she's more of an HR person than a boss.
It's hard to tell how long this blog is right now. I feel like I've been writing forever. I'm on my 4th page now but they're small pages. I guess I'll find out when I type this up later. I'm seriously off in my own little world right now. I keep forgetting the students are even here.
The office staff here aren't very nice. I went in during prep to ask about the bathroom and she gave me a look like 'why are you bothering me?' I understand if your job isn't terribly exciting but would it kill you to smile? I'm sorry I'm such a drain on your time for not knowing the ins and outs of your giant fucking high school. Of course compared to my high school, almost everywhere I go seems huge. The only tiny high school I've been to has like 10 teachers and is home to all the problem students who got kicked out of regular high school. It's a surprisingly easy job. The kids probably get in trouble the second they step out of line. I watch them do art and play basketball. I've been there like 5 times for the same teacher and it's always the same thing. I wish I could do art all day. Maybe I should bring a folder of projects to keep myself entertained. As much as I love writing, I can't do it all day. Especially without a computer.
I think Bishop is anxious to get home now. He's kicking me. Well, there's 15 minutes of school left now. I think this is a good place to end it. I've filled up 6 pages of notebook. We'll see how that translates to blog.
Wow, I must have been bored. It's my longest blog so far. I just have to add, on my way out when I was turning in my keys and folder, there was a different lady at the office and she was super nice. She said things like "good to have you here" and "have a great day!" At least someone was in a good mood.
I'm getting paid to be bored right now. Sometimes life is kinda awesome. I wish being bored for money was more steady work. Or I should say, being bored for good money. I know there's a lot of minimum wage jobs out there that involve sitting around waiting for customers. I don't really wanna do that. Mainly cause you're always supposed to look busy and trying to find things to do so your boss can get the most out of their $8 an hour can be exhausting. My boss can't even see me right now. I don't even really know who my boss is. I guess it would be the principal but that changes almost daily if I go to different schools. There's a lady I can call at the district office but she's more of an HR person than a boss.
It's hard to tell how long this blog is right now. I feel like I've been writing forever. I'm on my 4th page now but they're small pages. I guess I'll find out when I type this up later. I'm seriously off in my own little world right now. I keep forgetting the students are even here.
The office staff here aren't very nice. I went in during prep to ask about the bathroom and she gave me a look like 'why are you bothering me?' I understand if your job isn't terribly exciting but would it kill you to smile? I'm sorry I'm such a drain on your time for not knowing the ins and outs of your giant fucking high school. Of course compared to my high school, almost everywhere I go seems huge. The only tiny high school I've been to has like 10 teachers and is home to all the problem students who got kicked out of regular high school. It's a surprisingly easy job. The kids probably get in trouble the second they step out of line. I watch them do art and play basketball. I've been there like 5 times for the same teacher and it's always the same thing. I wish I could do art all day. Maybe I should bring a folder of projects to keep myself entertained. As much as I love writing, I can't do it all day. Especially without a computer.
I think Bishop is anxious to get home now. He's kicking me. Well, there's 15 minutes of school left now. I think this is a good place to end it. I've filled up 6 pages of notebook. We'll see how that translates to blog.
Wow, I must have been bored. It's my longest blog so far. I just have to add, on my way out when I was turning in my keys and folder, there was a different lady at the office and she was super nice. She said things like "good to have you here" and "have a great day!" At least someone was in a good mood.
February 16, 2013
Emergency phone blog
So I'm laying in bed an hour before midnight and suddenly I realize "shit! I forgot to blog!" Sigh, its happening already. I'm only 4 days into lent and already forgetting to blog. Hopefully I'm just out of practice. I'll get better and remember to write at an actual computer so I'm not such typing on my phone. Its annoying. It takes way to long to type on the phone.
I don't have anything profound or awesome to talk about today. I'm just tired and its my bedtime. Goodnight internet.
Rite of Election
Today, my RCIA group had to go to the Bishop as the next step in the confirmation process. Once again, I didn't know what to expect from today, but it was essentially like Mass but without the Eucharist. The process was simple enough: we stand to be recognized by the Bishop and then we're able to be confirmed in the church in a couple weeks.
At first, I was kind of excited, but now I can't help but find myself to be kind of nervous. I thought it might be concern over making my first confession again (this has kind of been something I've been grappling with), but I think this is something more. The end of my journey through RCIA (the last time I'll really have to go through some kind of confirmation class), the end of my Master's degree right around the corner from there, the end of my certification process; all of this is happening at once. It's like, all of my plans and all of the steps that I've had for the last two years are all coming to completion now. Every step has been maticulously planned out: these are the classes to take, these are the times, these are the tests, these are the obligations, these are the rites to complete, etc.
I realized for the first time in two years, I have absolutely no guiding force for what's going to happen next. This is a totally scary thing for someone like me. I need a goal and steps that I can take to accomplish that goal. I don't have any goals other than "Find a job" and the only steps you can take are "apply and interview". The rest is entirely out of my control. That's a terrifying thought. It's not that I prefer to have my life run and not have to take responsibility. It's just kind of frightening to go from having everything layed out and knowing what you have to do, to having absolutely no idea about what's going on.
Today signifies the first day of the culmination of all these things. It'll be worse in four or five weeks, when Lent, RCIA, and the last of my classes are over and all I have left is my student teaching. I don't think I'm ready for all this "adult stuff".
At first, I was kind of excited, but now I can't help but find myself to be kind of nervous. I thought it might be concern over making my first confession again (this has kind of been something I've been grappling with), but I think this is something more. The end of my journey through RCIA (the last time I'll really have to go through some kind of confirmation class), the end of my Master's degree right around the corner from there, the end of my certification process; all of this is happening at once. It's like, all of my plans and all of the steps that I've had for the last two years are all coming to completion now. Every step has been maticulously planned out: these are the classes to take, these are the times, these are the tests, these are the obligations, these are the rites to complete, etc.
I realized for the first time in two years, I have absolutely no guiding force for what's going to happen next. This is a totally scary thing for someone like me. I need a goal and steps that I can take to accomplish that goal. I don't have any goals other than "Find a job" and the only steps you can take are "apply and interview". The rest is entirely out of my control. That's a terrifying thought. It's not that I prefer to have my life run and not have to take responsibility. It's just kind of frightening to go from having everything layed out and knowing what you have to do, to having absolutely no idea about what's going on.
Today signifies the first day of the culmination of all these things. It'll be worse in four or five weeks, when Lent, RCIA, and the last of my classes are over and all I have left is my student teaching. I don't think I'm ready for all this "adult stuff".
February 15, 2013
My little troll
I've decided that our baby must be a boy because it likes to troll me when I have to pee. I'm not talking about the 50 times a day I have to pee and have easy access to a bathroom. Peanut doesn't really care about moving during those times. I'm talking about the times I have to pee but have no access to the bathroom. Like a few days ago when I was subbing and I had to wait about an hour because it was in the middle of class. Students can get up and go to the bathroom whenever but teachers have to wait until designated breaks because if we leave kids alone they will set the building on fire. Or something. Anyway, I was waiting patiently for my break when peanut decided to start doing flips. It's like she was saying "oh, you have to pee? Here, let me MASSAGE THAT FOR YOU!"
The second time was this morning when I had a completely full bladder and John was taking his sweet time in the bathroom before work. Peanut started kicking me.
I think a full bladder is like caffeine for babies.
The second time was this morning when I had a completely full bladder and John was taking his sweet time in the bathroom before work. Peanut started kicking me.
I think a full bladder is like caffeine for babies.
February 14, 2013
The Devil is an 8th Grader
So today I subbed for a school that is middle school and high school combined. Last week I subbed there for the first time. I had all high school classes. I didn't yell at anybody. Today I had two sophomore classes and three 8th grade classes. I cursed in class, sent one student to the office before class even started, and repeated the words "sit down" more than I've ever said them in life... combined. The 10th graders were great. I was so happy 4th period when the 8th graders left and the high school kids came in. In fact, when I found out 6th period at the beginning of the last group of 8th graders that they had an assembly, I almost cried from happiness. I got them out of my hair for most of the period. However, they made up for it in the 10 minutes I had them back in class at the end of the day. The entire 10 minutes consisted of me telling them to sit down and shut up. Do kids just forget how to listen in 8th grade? One things for sure, if I ever do decide to teach full time, it won't be middle school.
On a baby note, everybody noticed my belly today. One of the adult faculty asked me when I'm due. Students were asking me about the baby all day. One even asked if she could touch my belly. I said no. That's just weird. I think my stomach grew last night because no one asked me about being pregnant yesterday. It's nice that people notice because it's the biggest part of my life right now and it's cool that people recognize it. Also I was finally able to schedule my ultrasound so we can find out what we're having! I have an appointment on the 25th, the day after our anniversary. I can't wait! I waiting almost 2 weeks for the office to call me to schedule the appointment. But its cool... I'm not mad... I'm just glad I finally got the appointment.
Today was an eventful day. Thank god its over.
On a baby note, everybody noticed my belly today. One of the adult faculty asked me when I'm due. Students were asking me about the baby all day. One even asked if she could touch my belly. I said no. That's just weird. I think my stomach grew last night because no one asked me about being pregnant yesterday. It's nice that people notice because it's the biggest part of my life right now and it's cool that people recognize it. Also I was finally able to schedule my ultrasound so we can find out what we're having! I have an appointment on the 25th, the day after our anniversary. I can't wait! I waiting almost 2 weeks for the office to call me to schedule the appointment. But its cool... I'm not mad... I'm just glad I finally got the appointment.
Today was an eventful day. Thank god its over.
February 13, 2013
Lent is like Christmas for our blog
In that our blog gets neglected as we both gradually stop writing and then Lent comes and it gets two new posts every day!
Unlike Kris, I won't be talking about becoming Catholic everyday because I already became Catholic... and then I stopped. I'll probably end up talking about babies all the time since I currently have a little person growing inside me. Or I'll talk about substitute teaching (aka glorified babysitting). Those are the things happening in my life right now. And then in a few weeks we'll have kittens and I can post things about their shenanigans. Unfortunately Olive died a couple months ago and she has left a kitty shaped hole in my life.
Anyway, I will be going to receive my ashes in less than an hour so that lent may officially begin. Is it wrong to post my blog before I get my ashes? I think it still counts.
I feel really out of practice. It has been way too long since I've written anything. I'll try to make tomorrow more coherent. It's hard to live up to Kris and her blog/ novel on the very first day. WAY TO RUIN THE CURVE KRIS!
Unlike Kris, I won't be talking about becoming Catholic everyday because I already became Catholic... and then I stopped. I'll probably end up talking about babies all the time since I currently have a little person growing inside me. Or I'll talk about substitute teaching (aka glorified babysitting). Those are the things happening in my life right now. And then in a few weeks we'll have kittens and I can post things about their shenanigans. Unfortunately Olive died a couple months ago and she has left a kitty shaped hole in my life.
Anyway, I will be going to receive my ashes in less than an hour so that lent may officially begin. Is it wrong to post my blog before I get my ashes? I think it still counts.
I feel really out of practice. It has been way too long since I've written anything. I'll try to make tomorrow more coherent. It's hard to live up to Kris and her blog/ novel on the very first day. WAY TO RUIN THE CURVE KRIS!
Gettin' Down and Dirty
The time of Lent has come upon us again.
This year, as with last year, the only agreement that Angela and I have made is that "We are definitely doing a Lent blog" and "both of us had better contribute". This leaves me pretty much in the same place that I was last year: struggling to come up with an idea to write about for every day of the week, and in the middle of an endless supply of school work and real life obligations. Last year, I chose to write a weekly piece about things that began with every letter of "LENT". This year, I don't think I have the time to do that, and here's why.
As an added bonus to getting my teaching certification and my Master's degree, I've also decided to join RCIA and become Catholic.
I know. I must be crazy. With numerous other obligations and responsibilities, adding one more thing into this mix just seems insane. But with five more weeks to go or so until I'm confirmed Catholic, I can say I don't regret doing this now. The time just seems right. So, I started thinking about what I could do for a Lent blog this year, with time constraints, and homework, and lesson planning and all that lovely stuff that goes along with getting a degree and becoming a certified instructor, the only thing I can think to write about which would be managable is my experience going through RCIA, culminating in Lent, my first confession, first communion, and eventually confirmation. Last year, I avoided the topic of religion and politics as much as possible and wrote many a blog of how lame I was for having too much homework to write a blog, littered with appologies, and a sense that what I was doing wasn't really achieving anything or really in the spirit of a "Lent blog". This year, I choose to write about my experiences in my new chosen faith.
You are warned, reader.
Ash Wednesday:
I've participated in Ash Wednesday services before, but never at a Catholic church. I really didn't know what to expect. Essentially, it was the same as mass except we went up to the altar twice instead of once. Well, most people went up twice instead of once. I chose to stay back during the Eucharist because there were a lot of people and I don't think I can take it yet anyway. I had sort of an epiphany today, actually. The entire service is about recognizing our condition as sinners and the need for a savior, the ashes reminding us of our imperfect nature.
When I was growing up in a Protestant church, I pretty much always felt alone with my sins. I mean, the message doesn't really change about trying not to sin, but there's like this whole unspoken-ness about sins and sinning (at least in the church I grew up in, but I've heard similar things with other people I've talked to who are also Protestant). I want to focus on my own experience here, because I certainly don't believe that all churches are like this, or that only Catholic churches are free of what I've gone through growing up. But I digress. So my experience from my youth: sinning is a private matter between you and God; if you screw up, you pray about it and do better in the future. Feel guilty about it? Just keep preying. Sure, you could talk to someone about it, but there's a pretty good chance it's going to end up all over the church if you do, so just be prepared for that.
I feel like I've grown up with this skewed idea of sinners and sins from my upbringing. I personally have low self-esteem anyway, and I find I always put everyone else on this pedestal. I constantly struggle with guilt, feelings of inadequacy, more guilt, and a fear of letting others see me as anything less than a morally upright young woman who never makes mistakes because God forbid that happen. But today, as I'm sitting in a service reminding us that we're all sinners and inviting the entire congregation to come up and put ashes on their foreheads in acceptance of this fact, my mind was completely blown. For the first time in all the years of my life going to church, I no longer feel inadequate, or worried that anyone else is going to find out I'm a sinner. It's as if being a part of this experience, this acceptance of sin, this resolve to try to follow Christ and live a more righteous life has freed me from my old insecurities and perhaps to a degree, self-denial. I also feel like I've taken the first steps towards trying to be less judgmental, we'll see how that goes. One can only hope.
It's actually kind of remarkable how a little smudge on your forehead can really change you.
~Kritz
This year, as with last year, the only agreement that Angela and I have made is that "We are definitely doing a Lent blog" and "both of us had better contribute". This leaves me pretty much in the same place that I was last year: struggling to come up with an idea to write about for every day of the week, and in the middle of an endless supply of school work and real life obligations. Last year, I chose to write a weekly piece about things that began with every letter of "LENT". This year, I don't think I have the time to do that, and here's why.
As an added bonus to getting my teaching certification and my Master's degree, I've also decided to join RCIA and become Catholic.
I know. I must be crazy. With numerous other obligations and responsibilities, adding one more thing into this mix just seems insane. But with five more weeks to go or so until I'm confirmed Catholic, I can say I don't regret doing this now. The time just seems right. So, I started thinking about what I could do for a Lent blog this year, with time constraints, and homework, and lesson planning and all that lovely stuff that goes along with getting a degree and becoming a certified instructor, the only thing I can think to write about which would be managable is my experience going through RCIA, culminating in Lent, my first confession, first communion, and eventually confirmation. Last year, I avoided the topic of religion and politics as much as possible and wrote many a blog of how lame I was for having too much homework to write a blog, littered with appologies, and a sense that what I was doing wasn't really achieving anything or really in the spirit of a "Lent blog". This year, I choose to write about my experiences in my new chosen faith.
You are warned, reader.
Ash Wednesday:
I've participated in Ash Wednesday services before, but never at a Catholic church. I really didn't know what to expect. Essentially, it was the same as mass except we went up to the altar twice instead of once. Well, most people went up twice instead of once. I chose to stay back during the Eucharist because there were a lot of people and I don't think I can take it yet anyway. I had sort of an epiphany today, actually. The entire service is about recognizing our condition as sinners and the need for a savior, the ashes reminding us of our imperfect nature.
When I was growing up in a Protestant church, I pretty much always felt alone with my sins. I mean, the message doesn't really change about trying not to sin, but there's like this whole unspoken-ness about sins and sinning (at least in the church I grew up in, but I've heard similar things with other people I've talked to who are also Protestant). I want to focus on my own experience here, because I certainly don't believe that all churches are like this, or that only Catholic churches are free of what I've gone through growing up. But I digress. So my experience from my youth: sinning is a private matter between you and God; if you screw up, you pray about it and do better in the future. Feel guilty about it? Just keep preying. Sure, you could talk to someone about it, but there's a pretty good chance it's going to end up all over the church if you do, so just be prepared for that.
I feel like I've grown up with this skewed idea of sinners and sins from my upbringing. I personally have low self-esteem anyway, and I find I always put everyone else on this pedestal. I constantly struggle with guilt, feelings of inadequacy, more guilt, and a fear of letting others see me as anything less than a morally upright young woman who never makes mistakes because God forbid that happen. But today, as I'm sitting in a service reminding us that we're all sinners and inviting the entire congregation to come up and put ashes on their foreheads in acceptance of this fact, my mind was completely blown. For the first time in all the years of my life going to church, I no longer feel inadequate, or worried that anyone else is going to find out I'm a sinner. It's as if being a part of this experience, this acceptance of sin, this resolve to try to follow Christ and live a more righteous life has freed me from my old insecurities and perhaps to a degree, self-denial. I also feel like I've taken the first steps towards trying to be less judgmental, we'll see how that goes. One can only hope.
It's actually kind of remarkable how a little smudge on your forehead can really change you.
~Kritz
April 7, 2012
Day 40: The End
Lent is almost over. This is my last lent post until (possibly) next year! All of my new posts will be non-lent but equally random and/or 50% cat-filled. I'm glad I had Kris this year to pick up my slack and divert attention away from me forgetting to post. And she even gave up soda! I didn't give up anything! Although, you could argue that I also gave up soda but that's only because I hate it. I think soda was invented by Satan. It attacks your mouth with bubbles made out of carbon... or something. I'm not really sure how soda is made. The devil does not like to divulge his secrets. But for some reason people enjoy this bubbly torture.
Soda drinkers are a bunch of masochists. I'm the only person I know who doesn't like soda, so chances are I'm talking to you.... you masochist.
Happy last day of Lent! And if I neglect to post tomorrow (I will) HAPPY EASTER!!!
I totally thought the bunny was throwing the flower then I realized there was a steam. But its cool, just imagine he's throwing flowers at you. Lots and lots of flowers!
Soda drinkers are a bunch of masochists. I'm the only person I know who doesn't like soda, so chances are I'm talking to you.... you masochist.
Happy last day of Lent! And if I neglect to post tomorrow (I will) HAPPY EASTER!!!
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