looking slightly better

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present. ~Babatunde Olatunji

today turned out much better than I thought it would... and in pretty good mood despite other things...

made homemade pulled pork for dinner (yum!), gonna try and finish my AA paper, and then 'Criminal Minds' and 'In Plain Sight'...

then off to camp at my parents' house so my Dad can look at my car... my brakes decided to make fun grinding noises on the way home from work today while sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-12... guess I can't really complain though... it's the 1st time they have given me problems and she already has 100,000+ miles on her...

peace be with you...

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27 NIV

I certainly pray for peace of mind this morning...

another procrastination method

so yeah, I'm procrastinating on my papers, again... I think I'm thinking too much on the future and what is coming up... but here is what I have left as far as school work this semester (which ends May 13th)

counseling children:
- 2 more journals (1 paragraph each)
- activity project + 5-6pg paper on population of choice
- final

cross-cultural counseling:
- movie project* + 4-6pg paper on reflection of cultural issues presented
- 3-5pg walk a mile interview paper*
- final

substance abuse:
- 3-5pg movie paper*
- 3-5pg AA paper*
- addiction counselor interview paper
- final (3-5pg paper on topic of choice)


WWHHEEWW!!

*due next week :p

it costs how much?!

went to see my oral surgeon for a consultation this afternoon because my dentist told me I needed to get all four of them removed pretty soon...

doctor seems nice, office staff too...


but it's going to cost me around $2100 with my health insurance dental discount... I guess it could be worse at $2700 which was the cost before the discount... but the office staff was really nice about working with me so I can pay it. they're letting me split into 4 payments instead of 2 ($530 is better than $1060), so I'm not as much out of pocket. that much money to remove 4 little teeth...


I dream of the day when I have a real person adult job with real health and dental benefits (and paid leave)... one day ::sigh::


but I trust in God to take care of things... they work out, they just always do :)

Catholicism

found these two article on NPR the past few weeks...two different views on Catholic faith and identity

On Good Friday, Here's Why I Remain Catholic - by ELIZABETH SCALIA


There is a reason I came back to the Catholic church earlier last year, and it wasn't for the Communion wine. I grew up Catholic. I was baptized and confirmed in this faith. But it wasn't until college that I really decided that I didn't know if it was me. I went through a deistic phase... an agonistic phase... it never seemed like it fit with my soul though. But I came back, and my heart and soul knew they were home again with God. Faith is never simply understood. It is personal journey each person has to make. I still am not at terms with some of the Catholic doctrine and goings-on (i.e. contraceptives, evolution, abuse scandal, etc.). I struggle with my faith everyday, but I challenge myself to keep learning and expanding what it means to believe in God and the Catholic church.

The author sums it up best here:
I want my church to shine. But I understand that everything, from our institutions to our innermost beings, are seen through a glass, darkly. Arms outstretched, listening for the Word, and its echoing liturgy, I make my way forward, in bright hope.


Leaving The Church But Not The Identity - by JULIANNA BAGGOTT


I like this article because I can definitely identify with it. Faith can and will be a struggle. My Catholic identity has been and always be a part of me (even subconsciously). I know I don't have perfect faith in the institution of the church, which so recently is plagued by sin and human fallibility. So I try to put my faith in the highest place, in God, trusting that he will show me what it means to keep faith in his church.


Said best here:
What does it mean to be Catholic and not a Catholic? I feel adrift, homeless.

new beginnings

well hello shiny new blog :)

I decided to start a new one because I realize how much I miss having a place to share my ramblings, reflections, thoughts, and opinions on well... everything!

the start of Lent marked a new period of introspection into my life, and even though Lent is over I still wanted to record what's going on in my brain...

ps - instead of working on my AA paper for substance abuse, I created this lol :)