tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32576408412647378652024-03-13T14:20:10.738-05:00the boy who blocked his own shotdefragmenting the atticAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-8460300754061276762018-06-01T12:07:00.002-05:002018-06-01T12:07:29.424-05:00what's wrong with the church in america today?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">why is the church "failing"?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in large part, it is surely due to the poor image of the church that's projected by christians and 'christians' today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">many see christians as hypocritical.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">many see the church as an unnecessary hurdle to a personal relationship with God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand."</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the church is becoming increasingly divided amongst itself.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but who is standing against whom?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">on that, we needn't worry. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we ought simply to do the will of God.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the issues stem from the unwillingness to look inside, to admit our sins, all of our sins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in our hyperindividual relationships with God through Christ Jesus we are trending away from the need to look at our sins, individual and corporate, and to have others help us see those sins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">because, of course, we must identify our sins and bring those sins to God as we seek repentance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">imagine God's reaction if/when one goes to God asking for forgiveness, saying, 'God, forgive me for whatever bad things i've done. i don't know what i did, but i'm sure i did something, so can i have a clean slate now?'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we are continuously and increasingly isolating ourselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we spend more times on smartphones and tablets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we spend more time with netflix.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we spend more money donating with a click of a button.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the ancient desert fathers of the church who lived as hermits and even monastics of today who live in communities don't do so in isolation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">they play a specific role as a member or members of the church, the body of Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in challenging times, these days where challenges from all angles, angles that are political and financial and institutional (the church itself faces internal as well as external challenges) and spiritual, we first ought to look within ourselves before taking action.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we must look within the church. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to understand and possibly to redefine what the church is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to inventory our resources, our leadership.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to regroup and restrategize and revitalize and regrow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we are the living body of christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we are living muscles. and they need to be exercised and trained.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we got to get strong.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we got to get tough and act tough in tough times.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">when the going gets tough, the tough get going.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">people have been following Christ Jesus for 2,000 years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">people have been following God since long before that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the church will not die today. or tomorrow. or the day after that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but, it's no excuse for any of us to sit idly by and not live out the lives and the love we are called to live. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">how deep is that call within you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">how loud are those groans? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">is that call to love louder than the shouts of the world of greed, of selfishness and self-centrism, of hyperindividualism and isolation, of egoism, of violence and anger and rage and hate?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">if we are members of the body of christ, we must live as individual members working together with other members to move the body of christ!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we must go to church, a community, a body of believers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we must pray with a body of believers. let's hold hands while we do it and physically, tangibly, be <b>one</b> body.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we must move the body out of the church into the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we must show the world we are the living body of christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we must exhibit to others that love of Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we must live in and live out the love of God.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-58000555097297426772018-02-21T15:41:00.000-06:002019-02-26T15:41:46.150-06:00the death of spirituality in america<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">today, the rev. billy graham entered eternal life with our father in heaven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i believe this marks the death of spirituality in america.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">spirituality has been dying in the past few decades, aging slowly, hanging onto life, clinging in the last few years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">today, though, spirituality expires. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">usonians have been placing our spirituality in the hands of others. we expect someone else to take care of it for us. if we tithe, the pastor can handle the church. if we pledge, the priest will pray long enough, hard enough to keep the parish right with God. if the priest says the right words, we'll all be forgiven. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">on a related note, it's funny that usonians tend not to believe in the sacramentality that scores sacred orders and we tend to place our spirituality not in an office or a person, but rather in a corporate entity like a denomination or a brand (like rev. billy graham).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">without a face or voice like rev. graham's, what will usonians do? how will usonians react? how will we manage our own christian spiritualities? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">will we realize we must take charge of our own spiritualities, realizing the full impact and potential of the personal aspects of the christian faith? or, will we find the next best thing - the next loudest voice on the radio, the next pretty face on the tv, the next cool pastor on social media - and see how long that rides out for me, never mind my communities, my family, my children, the generations of human beings to come? </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-28036300206150221502018-02-09T22:30:00.000-06:002018-02-12T10:48:17.390-06:00postulancy<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i received a phone call from the bishop today</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>i have been offered and i accepted postulancy to the holy order of priesthood in the episcopal church</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">what a wonderful feeling!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to have my calling affirmed by the church.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i so pleased and so blessed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and i am so excited to begin the process of formation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it's such a joyous feeling, that feeling of belonging.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">that feeling of knowing this is where i'm supposed to be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and where i'm supposed to be going.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">that feeling of knowing this is what i'm supposed to be doing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it's almost ineffable, the feeling.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in some ways, it's hard to describe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">those who have found their calling in life may know what i'm describing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">::sigh::</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">what a feeling.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">now i just have to figure out where to go to seminary....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">peace,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-1625411852777269722018-02-07T17:03:00.000-06:002018-02-12T11:09:40.540-06:00liturgy<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the other day after officiating evening prayer, one of the persons attending told me she really enjoyed my officiating in particular and really feels the Holy Spirit present <br />
i was humbled.<br />
and a bit speechless.<br />
it's such a joy for me to officiate.<br />
perhaps liturgy is part of my calling in ministry.<br />
i also very much enjoy singing in the choir.<br />
i feel so at home in worship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">also, at the postulancy conference, i was asked to read the Gospel for morning prayer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">afterwards, a laywoman told me she loved my reading, and she'd listen to me read all day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i was so pleased to hear this because i think reading and liturgy is part of my vocation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">part of what i need to develop is confidence in my gifts and talents, something pointed out to me at the postulancy conference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i think it's time i recognize and really own my reading and liturgy gifts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">lots of love, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-24726480883924305932018-02-04T08:28:00.001-06:002018-02-12T10:12:22.059-06:00hangover<div dir="ltr">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ugh</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i feel hungover</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">
yesterday i attended the postulancy conference for aspirants of our diocese seeking priesthood and diaconate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after a full day of full-on pouring out of my spirit, i feel hungover</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i honestly feel like i was put drinking yesterday evening <u>and</u> had just one too many</div>
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">my fellow aspirants carl's friend calls it a vulnerability hangover</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">
it really takes a lot of energy to be so vulnerable, to open up so much</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i might call it a spiritual hangover. i think this feeling can be had after any times of really opening our selves spiritually</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
being so open and in tune with things and people really requires a lot of energy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even last night when I returned home i turned into a sloth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(funny enough, as i'm writing this i remember carl telling me he'd turn into a jellyfish and i wasn't sure I knew what he meant.)</div>
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">as we were leaving yesterday father pae told me i could take off today and now i know why he suggested it: i was on a vulnerability bender.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i'm hungover.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-83692628016157181302017-12-19T13:23:00.001-06:002018-02-12T10:10:16.676-06:00the reason for the season<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">a couple years ago, i got an 'advent calendar' from trader joe's</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i was excited for my first one; i </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">never had one as a child</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">naturally, i had no idea what i was doing and wondered when to start</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>the first day of advent</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">easy. no problem. when is that? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>late november</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but, there are only 24 little dates/boxes/chocolates on my calendar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>ooooooo</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>IT'S NOT A REAL ADVENT CALENDAR</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>IT'S A DECEMBER COUNTDOWN-TO-CHRISTMAS CALENDAR</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-_-</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">
we obviously enjoy a season of preparation, but it's clearly been misappropriated from the church, the kalendar, and the real reasons for preparation.</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(note to self: write a post about lent)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">trader joe's (and i'm sure countless others) make 'advent calendars'</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">magazines even create faux advent calendars, like the love advent calendar.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">
if we really want or need this preparation, for what exactly are we preparing?</div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-40749703304366646092017-12-19T10:57:00.000-06:002017-12-19T10:57:16.184-06:00the season? of giving? <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">new research indicates more and more americans see or experience christmas as a religious holiday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we are less and less affiliated with a religious institution these days.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">part of we as american like to experience around the holidays is the so-called 'season of giving.'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we like to give.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the internet has enabled us to give and give and give.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">give to each other with access to any gift ever. thank God for amazon!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">give to others with access to charities and organizations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we like to give money from the comfort of our own homes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we can 'respond' to crises on the other side of the world by donating to the red cross.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we can give money to organizations to help victims of natural disasters who are our own neighbors.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we like to give...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>money.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">this is evident in the general responses to the hurricanes and fires and earthquakes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>millions </u>of dollars were raised in mere hours. see j.j. watt and houston.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">sure, money makes the world go around.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and, financial support (tithing, offerings, alms-giving) has it's place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it is <b>a</b> vital spiritual practice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it is not <b><i>the</i> </b>spiritual practice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">hardly will we find someone these days who is 'holier than thou'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">easily will we find someone who is 'busier than thou'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">one of the many invaluable life lessons i learned from my high school soccer coach is this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>you will not grow if you do not challenge yourself</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">are we really stepping out of our comfort zone by sitting in our computer chair and clicking 'donate'?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(as i sit at my office and type this)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">think about it, though: you will not get physically stronger without some challenge or resistance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">mentally, we grow by challenging our minds, asking questions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i believe this applies spiritually as well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we cannot grow as christians if we do not challenge ourselves, if we do step outside of our comfort zone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jesus commands us to do just that: <i>step out of your comfort zone.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">just as jesus gave himself - all of himself - for us, we are to give ourselves for others.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">if we only give money, what are we really giving?</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-32466236697535689212017-11-20T13:57:00.000-06:002018-02-12T10:52:02.360-06:00black friday<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">brace yourselves</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">black friday is coming</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">let me throw in my two cents</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i'll join the chorus of voices screaming for us all to abstain from black friday</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>WHAT ARE WE DOING?!</i></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><u>WHY</u> ARE WE PULLING ALLNIGHTERS </i>(sleep is another topic i want to discuss in the future) <b><i>OR WAKING UP EARLY OR CAMPING OUT TO FIGHT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS LIKE US JUST TO GET A NEW TV OR A PAIR OF SNEAKERS OR A BARBIE?!?!</i></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i understand acts of service as part of giving in this season that is supposed to be about giving, but participating in black friday is just another (and probably the ultimate) way we give any sense of holiday to corporate america</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">go ahead and stop whatever you're thinking about how unpatriotic or communist (or both) i am</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i'm even going to try to avoid online shopping as the system typically used is just crazy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">radiolab did a piece on it and it's mindblowing what those workers have to do, the exploitation of the system</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">do yourself a favor and spend 20 minutes on this story.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="130" scrolling="no" src="https://www.wnyc.org/widgets/ondemand_player/radiolab/#file=%2Faudio%2Fxspf%2F344234%2F" width="600"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">lots of love, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-5728937943615796232017-11-01T14:14:00.001-05:002017-11-01T14:14:32.050-05:00holiday season<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">today is all saints day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it may be the beginning of a "holiday season", but it's certainly not the beginning of christmas.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">well, at least, not for those who are christians.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">let's get this straight:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">christmas, liturgically, begins either at sundown christmas eve or christmas day itself.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and, it then continues until epiphany.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the release of the starbucks holiday cup is a soul-crushing calendar landmark, if you ask me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">why is this something we anticipate?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">what does a coffee cup have to do with celebrating holidays and the incarnation of the christ?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">why do we need a multinational corporation to govern our calendars and seasons of life?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">two years ago, the starbucks removed "holiday" symbols from their red holiday cups.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and, by "holiday" symbols, i mean things like snowflakes, snowmen, and santa.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">people. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">freaked. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">many claimed it was a 'war on christmas'.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">because to many a red coffee cup that didn't have snowflakes on it is persecution of jesus christ (and guy who (probably?) didn't ever see snow) and his followers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i hope we learned a lesson from this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we should not allow corporations to dictate the seasons of our lives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we should not allow things like starbucks to dictate our holidays, our days of holy and sacred worship and praise and reflection and learning and growth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the seasons of our lives and felt and lived through the body of the church.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and, yes, the seasons of the church should part of the seasons of our lives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">just as much as the earth's season our part of our lives and births & deaths are part of our lives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">if we really are christians, we ought to have christian seasons in our lives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">what a better way to observe that than through the liturgical calendar.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">so, until advent, i will continue in my after-pentecost time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">bah, humbug!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">lots of love,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-22922156634261961452017-11-01T13:54:00.001-05:002017-11-01T13:54:17.097-05:00signs<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">yesterday, i was riding a bike in the city and was stopped at a crosswalk in the bike lane, with other cyclists.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">note: the bike lane is separate from and adjacent to the pedestrian crosswalk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the light changes and we all start to cross, but there's a lady walking towards me and the crossing cyclists, forcing all the cyclists to a halt. she stopped as well and looked up at us the cyclists like we the ones wronging her, muttering, "what the f#$%?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">as the cyclists, including myself, calmly and politely (honestly! we were calm and polite!) told the lady she's in the bike lane (and going the wrong way), she refuted by pointing out there was no bike painted in this 'crosswalk' and continued to act like she had the right of way, right in mind and right in law.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">she eventually walked around us, rather unhappily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">as she ceded passage and i was able to bring my eyes back up to the horizon, i noticed a sign posted on top of a pole at end of the crosswalk/bike lane, directly in the middle of the two lanes. the sign clearly indicated bikes on this side using the bike lane, pedestrians on that side using the crosswalk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i continued on my bike ride and wondered why the lady couldn't look up and see the sign; she only wanted to look down at the path.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">instead of looking up and learning from an objective source where she should be, she was looking down and misconstruing a lack of signage or indication as to where it was acceptable for her to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i struck me that many of us walk through life in a similar fashion. we are so concerned of the world in front of us, we never stop to consider any signs from above us. even worse, this lady created a situation of "me vs. you", a classic dualistic situation where she wanted to emerge as victor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i pray we all keep our eyes and hearts open to the world around us and also for signs from above our heads, signs that require discernment, signs that require patience, signs that require humility, signs that require empathy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">lots of love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-60511009918858549342017-09-29T09:49:00.000-05:002017-09-29T09:49:50.302-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i realize i'm (potentially) moving into phase of my life where my life may be more public.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">acknowledging that and without spending the time and energy to comb through my past posts and comments and whatnots, i just want to say i am a new and changed person.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the things i've said in the past may not be the same things i would say today.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">even the manner in which i said things in the past may not be the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i've always been one to move forward and look forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">although our pasts shape us individually, i believe in leaving the past behind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i believe in becoming better and more than our pasts, learning from our pasts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i believe in learning about the present of others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i hope you will learn about my present, too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-82912439624713803722017-09-21T08:27:00.001-05:002017-09-26T11:16:38.031-05:00anxiety<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">amidst my anxiety, i have been reminded i must keep Christ at the <u>center</u> of my life and heart</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">this can be done in a few ways, but certainly prayer and the Act of Communion are chiefly important</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i await word and i open myself to the Holy Spirit</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">peace,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-34025489479099140852017-09-20T09:24:00.000-05:002017-09-26T11:18:57.740-05:00ember day trial<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i have decided, somewhat on a whim, to try to fast this set of ember days starting today as i am in the middle of my discernment and await word from the diocese if i will move forward. it will be a practice i aim to uphold throughout the year for all ember days if i am granted postulancy and seek ordination.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i will admit at this point it's partly to pray for myself and my discernment, petitioning God to make me a priest for God's people.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">although i exercised this morning and took a protein shake with milk, i'll fast through sunset today. i realized it was an ember day when i got to my office and looked at my calendar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">rosh hashannah starts today at sundown, so i hope to find some connection to the jewish roots of our faith as we entire the jewish new year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>addendum</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">what a day to choose to fast. i'm feeling sluggish already at 11:30 a.m. and i'm getting straight up slammed at work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>addendum</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">fasting again friday 22/9 for the 2nd of this ember day set.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">very fruitful, but i very much feel in the middle of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i pray tomorrow is also deeply cleansing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">fisheaters.com has some tremendous resources for learning about ember days (and many other traditions) and even for discussing with/teaching to kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">for instance, i learned that in old folklore, the weather of the ember days would predict the weather of the upcoming months. for instance, the 20/9 wednesday ember day foretells october's weather, 22/9 friday ember day foretells november's weather, and 23/9 saturday's ember day foretells decembers weather, and so on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>addendum</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">this (set of) ember day(s) proved to bring me closer to God through Christ with the Holy Spirit, quelling some internal currents and filling me with peace.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-35147328125960219542017-09-18T10:56:00.000-05:002017-09-18T10:56:50.188-05:00writing vs. speaking<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i revealed to a friend my writing/journaling style, how i just tend to flow a stream of consciousness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">she pointed out how that's essentially the exact opposite of my speaking style, how i take time to formulate thoughts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it is curious thinking about that, how i don't like to put my thoughts down on paper in raw form.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but, i like be very careful with my spoken word</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i guess writing is more of a vehicle to just spit out thoughts, just to get it out and recorded, although it is recorded permanently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the spoken word to me means more to me because it has a direct and immediate audience or recipient. the spoken word must mean something to them. it shouldn't be just letting words flow free; it should be calculated and precise. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i've fallen out of practice of writing in general, but aim to pick it back up again. whether that's here or physically in a book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i like it here because it doesn't take up physical space.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i like physical writing for the feel, though.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-27098775985203467052016-09-06T11:13:00.000-05:002016-09-06T11:13:27.721-05:00<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">been a while, but I can get to that later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I need to jot down thoughts/feelings while I have them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">today I'm feeling really connected. or, maybe inspired or motivated are more accurate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">listening to some podcasts and I feel more confident that ordination is what I want and need to pursue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I still question the legitimization of theology/education or perhaps authority (in the eyes of others), but I feel I want to use that education and "authority" to encourage individual spiritual experience. I feel people need to know there is more to church than 90 minutes on sundays. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Listening to people talk about theological or spiritual topics, I feel I lack the eloquence with words to express appropriately the ideas and feelings in order to have people understand spirituality of Christianity. these on radio or in podcasts or in books do it so well and it inspires me. I want to do that to bring Christianity in all it's beauty and wonder to each individual person and open and guide their spirit to truth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">perhaps it just a matter of writing more or reading more or sheer practice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">back to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">love,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">jo</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-10599075703820660682016-06-15T11:27:00.001-05:002016-06-15T11:27:21.322-05:00a need to record things (7/2015)I feel it is important to record things.<br />
<div>
Thoughts. </div>
<div>
Feelings. </div>
<div>
Happenings. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yet, I haven't done that in so long. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I feel I am entering a phase in my life where this desire (perhaps need?) to record is resurfacing, as if I buried it or just tried to leave behind me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I need to procure an actual journal to give myself completely free license to record anything. I feel using this medium requires me to use some restraint, but I subconsciously do so even though I've previously said I use this as a journal. </div>
<div>
I can't be entirely open and honest here, can I?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Cheers to thinking. And, recording. And, living. And, loving. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
jo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-85588636055534839612012-11-27T22:56:00.002-06:002012-12-01T13:04:29.073-06:00(untitled)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">life, if one were to consider it a 'thing,' is the most precious gift given to us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">life is the basis of all things we know. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we do not know death.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we try harder and harder to understand the unknown and unliving, such as dark matter or anti-matter. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">our culture is fascinated by the undead like zombies and vampires.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">isn't life so hard to understand sometimes? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i'm not talking about one's life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i'm not talking about 'what do i do with my life? what kind of job should i get? what should i study?' kind of life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i mean, life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you know what helps me understand life and everything connected to life?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>love.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>love.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">love in the broadest sense.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">love puts everything into perspective, right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">love is found in my faith, and vice versa.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">often, they can be synonymous and exchanged for each other.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and much like james spoke of faith in his famous epistle to all christians, i submit <u>love without works is dead</u>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">for what good is our love if it is sheltered within our heart?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">what good is water if it is not drunk?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">furthermore, what good is our love to those who surround us? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">our love is better suited for those we surround.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">much like our faith is a candle to be held out in the open, to light the way for the world,<i> <b>the love in our hearts is to be poured out to anoint all those we meet and see.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i'm just rambling again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but one day, this will all make sense.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to you <b><u>and</u></b> me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">lots of love,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-37588589160921208832012-09-10T21:49:00.000-05:002012-09-10T21:49:02.959-05:00blogging is a game of streaks.<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i've become quite horrible at posting blogs anymore.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">chalk it up to sheer, pathetic, unfortunate apathy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i feel i must first correct my job position i described in the last post.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i stated i was a legal secretary. that sounds...inaccurate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i'm a legal <i>assistant.</i> <b>big </b>difference. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">maybe not. i feel like legal secretary means...secretary.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but i believe legal <u>assistant</u> sounds more like paralegal, and that is much more similar to the work i do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in the world of legal assisting, i was recently moved to my own litigation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">big step up. quite literally, as well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i was previously working in the basement. now, i work on the 5th floor. it actually has windows! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">though the air temperature isn't as cool as in the cellar.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">funnily enough, most people don't even know a team works in the basement. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">yet, still on the small pay. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it might become permanent (with permanent-position salary, fingers crossed) in a couple months, once i hit the 6-month mark. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">only time will tell. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in other news, relationships are tricky.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i think anybody who has been in a relationship more than 6 months knows exactly what i'm saying.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but, on the other hand, and even more so, relationships are very rewarding.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i am so grateful to God for my relationship.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and my job.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and my family.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and my friends.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">lots of love,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-27952559702819363082012-06-06T21:24:00.001-05:002012-09-10T21:06:18.310-05:00guess who's back? back again?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salutations.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i just can't quit this thing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">maybe it's because i feel like i'm writing for an audience and writing here boosts my ego.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">maybe i just feel like i need to journal my life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">whatever it is, I MUST WRITEEEEE!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it feels good to write, yes?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">liberating.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">inspiring.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so, quick notes to catch up; details to follow later.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i'm back in the u.s., back in the u.s., back in the u.s. of a. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i currently reside in bayside, queens, new york.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i moved to new york to be with my dearest carolyn. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i work as a legal secretary.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">only a temp job, so i get paid peanuts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but a job nonetheless.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i work with defective medical devices and medicine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it's about as interesting as it sounds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">no, it's nowhere near that interesting.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i miss korea.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and i miss you, blog.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and i miss you, reader.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>ahhhhhh....</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that felt good.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">let's do this more often, shall we?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lots of love,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">jo</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0Queens, NY, USA40.7282239 -73.794851640.5356989 -74.1107086 40.920748900000007 -73.478994600000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-75484319411523406862012-01-27T21:19:00.002-06:002017-09-26T11:38:10.015-05:00what is this thing?<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">oh yeah...i have a blog, don't i?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">wow, has life/korea been crazy lately:</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">work has been rough;</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">then, i became head instructor/assistant manager;</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">had to work for a month averaging 13.5-hour days, sans overtime pay;</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i'm currently on a week-long vacation and i've done pretty much nothing;</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">decided i'm returning to the states.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">that's right: <b>i'm coming back to the U.S. of A.</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">more importantly, before that happens, <u>i'm going to spend 2 weeks in okinawa with</u> my boy of all boys,<i> friend of all friends</i>, <u>matthew houck.</u> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">more on my re-entry plan on the next post. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">maybe some catching up on korea, too, though i guess that could be reserved for direct conversation or questions.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">lots of love,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">jo</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea37.2635727 127.028600937.2130242 126.9496369 37.314121199999995 127.1075649tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-23884379254929922802011-11-08T00:16:00.003-06:002011-11-08T00:16:52.598-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
note to self:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
post more on blog</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-58892928712642205812011-05-04T20:15:00.000-05:002011-11-08T00:03:41.607-06:00still catching up<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">why am i so inconsistent at posting? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i guess we all might be inconsistent at things we do</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i think i was supposed to talk about an awful february?<br />
i clearly missed all posts in march and april.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">nothing too exciting there; just got to a new job and new town, but really close to where i was.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">but i have to move back to where i was at the end of may.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">oh, well. i like both places. my director just can't make up her mind as to exactly when i'm to move.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">february was tough month.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mostly because of work.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my former boss was treating people like they were stray dogs, old and new teachers alike.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">all the while, because she is literally in love with me (long story, if i haven't illustrated before), she treats me like a god. i try to be a good guy in my life so i sucks watching people get treated like crap and not be able to do anything about it. and to answer your question, no, there was nothing i could have done. the lady was/is on a power trip. we all know what happens when a korean goes on a power trip! and she thinks her position grants her automatic legitimacy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i mean, the lady was trying to tell me where to work next. she said getting another job in the same part of town would be detrimental to parents' view upon the kindergarten and her. well, when i go back to butter her up for a future job reference, i'm going to let her know i'm working just down the street. ;)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">also, my girlfriend left korea on 2-days notice, after living with me for 6 weeks in waiting of her new job to start after week 8. another emotional stress.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in february, i had a major problem with my ear. i woke up 1 morning and couldn't out of my right ear and i couldn't even sit up or stand. a trip to the ER and a follow-up 10 days later were required, as were $1300 from my pocket of which my private insurance company refunded only $300. i don't have private anymore; i'm mos def on nhs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">oh, yeah, i was also looking for a job. i don't know if it's because of my visa, but it was not very easy finding another job.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">march and april, what can i say? new job is way too much work. none difficult, but just loads of grading. stupid corporate private academies. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">gosh. it all looks pretty bad in a compilation, doesn't it?<br />
it's OK because i have some good news for the next post.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">lots of love,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">jo </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-65783668747417488442011-02-26T21:37:00.003-06:002011-02-26T21:47:12.276-06:00two months late<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >new year's resolutions.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >even though i'm mega-late with these i want to post them anyway.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >at least as a sort of record so i can come back and look at these in the future.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >i have to make this a quick one because i'm packing my bags right now and moving in a couple hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >don't freak out or get too excited.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >i'll explain in the next post.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >anyway. here they are.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1) run a marathon this year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1b) run two (2) marathons next year</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >2) buy more music</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >3) follow the 'bible in a year' program</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >4) follow 'my utmost for his highest' daily devotionals</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >5) take intensive korean classes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >6) blog a little more</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >i usually don't make new year's resolutions because i've always been perfect; there's never been anything in need of resolve.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >after the worst month ever, i've decided to take seriously my resolutions.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >lots of love,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >jo</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-83908248463979642122011-02-19T23:55:00.004-06:002011-02-26T21:45:13.018-06:00the end of 2010<div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >well, let's go back. </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >back to the year 2010.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was back then i extended my stay at my school.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was back then, of the 8 saturdays (including christmas) between november and december my 2 coworkers and i were required to work 5 of those days. </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then i hung out a lot with my sister.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then i spent some holiday time with my cousins</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then i came upon a girlfriend.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >if you could call her my girlfriend at the time, though neither i nor most others would have.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then 3 americans (myself inclusive) and a new zealander gathered for a feast in celebration of american thanksgiving.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then i began serious serious internal discussions about the purchase of a new computer.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then i was to start to ponder upon my new years' resolutions.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then, in late 2010, i should have written more blogs about my thoughts and feelings.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then, on christmas eve, i spent all evening in the emergency room, rather than with my sister, with a fever of 104 F.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then, on christmas, i experienced a great gathering of good friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then on new years' eve, i spent the countdown, festivities, and celebrations in a great tourist spot in korea, bound in a hotel bed by a recurrence of my christmas eve fever.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was then, i had a good year.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >though work was quite stressful and strenuous at times, job stability was nice.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >family time was great, especially with the arrival of my sister.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >a belated goodbye to 2010.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >i've always be a sentimental guy, anyway.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >onwards!</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >to 2011!</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >lots of love,</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >jo</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257640841264737865.post-2382202025906318362011-02-17T05:29:00.002-06:002011-02-17T05:36:25.674-06:0029/10/2010<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >29</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >october</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >2010</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >it was a saturday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >and it was the last time i posted on here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >that's a hell of a long time ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >certainly a hell of a lot has changed since then as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >i motion to post a blog soon. actually, more than 1.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >multiple blogs are in order, though with sufficient time between each blog as to allow each post to dissipate into the interwebs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >the motion is seconded by the gentlemen and moves to a vote.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >those in favor? great.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >those opposed? get the hell out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >my life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >coming (back) soon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >lots of love,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >jo</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662723429405891719noreply@blogger.com0