Name:Carla Country:United States State:Iowa Metro:Quad Cities Birthday:2/6/1988 Gender:Female
Interests:Books, singing, Harry Potter, dogs, schemes of world domination. Expertise:Spreading chaos, confusion, and general befuddlement throughout the land. Occupation:writer? Industry:books ...
this semester is kicking my ass, and i'm not capitalizing anything in protest and anger. i can hardly keep my head above water right now; gar. honors service learning is basically killing me, though it's gotten a lot better in the last week or two. it's a big load off my shoulders to be able to finish my service work through january break. so anyway, at least that's going a lot better than before.
modern irish is not the huge challenge i was hoping for, but although i'm not learning anything i didn't know in the 'culture' part, i am getting to experience a lot of 'literature' i'd never encountered before. seriously, all the history stuff is just repeat, so at least half of every class period is kind of a waste of my time.
lit crit is an incredible challenge. i've never had to work so hard to create good papers, though i'm still squeaking by with a's. i really cannot believe the last one was an a-/b+. it was total shit. oh well maybe berta's right about auge haha. how wonderful that would be.
bio of women is nothing and everything i expected. it's so much more interesting and fun than i thought it would be, but it's also covering all the topics i expected to look at. we have a test on wednesday which we spent all of monday reviewing for. the final poster project is going to be the hardest part i think. i don't like research or statistics or group work. grrr.
choir is the same as always; we're working on christmas music now so that's a lot more fun than before. i am not a huge fan of all the messiah stuff, and i'm really glad the concert was postponed. i am sad that everyone is so sick, but it was a blessing in disguise i think.
i've got to start reading a book for my independent study with dr. eby next semester. i'm finally going to be covering something i'm not totally familiar with! the troubles from the 60's to the 90's is going to be fun and sad to talk about i think. what really confuses me is the lack of originality in naming big events in ireland - there are two 'bloody sunday's in the same century!! come on people, why do you have to do everything important on sundays??
ok so wedding plans are under way; we're getting some things done, but not as much as i'd really like. i blame myself. right now i'm thinking cakes, tuxes, bridesmaid jewelry, etc. ick ick ick. i wish it wasn't something i had to plan myself. i just want to have a party with the people i love!!
joe's brother jacob left for his mission at the beginning of october, and we both really miss him already. we're spending more time with his quickly growing younger brothers and i'm enjoying that immensely. i love them a great deal! christina got engaged on her birthday to a really great guy, and she's getting married july of 2011, while angie is getting married october of 2010, and joe and i are june 2010. angie finished the flowers last month or so and they are gorgeous; i'm enthralled. kevin and jenn have a baby girl named nizhonia marlene (i'm in love with the juxtaposition of those two names) and lynette and nick have a boy named dawson paul. he's tiny but has a shock of black hair that is startling. they are both precious, but i haven't gotten to hold dawson yet due to his tininess and my illness. *sad*
so, that's all the news that's fit to blog. peace.
I’ve decided that a certain person whom I work with (we’ll call him “Bob”) is an alien.In a bio-suit.Which leads me to think a lot less of these aliens whom we’ve all come to believe must be pretty darn smart to be infiltrating our society and whatnot.If I am correct, then these aliens are clearly not the pick of the litter.Firstly, they seem to have only a vague notion of what a human being ought to look like.This leads to the not blending in of said Bob.In this case, either basic principles of symmetry elude them, or they’ve pasted parts in backwards, upside-down, and obviously insecurely.
The second reason I believe Bob is bio-suited alien is his walk.It’s off kilter; I have no other description for it.He really looks like the little green men inside haven’t quite figured out what all the levers do, kind of like a 14 year old who just got their learner’s permit and is none to skilled with hand-eye coordination.This would also explain the constant dropping of objects during simple tasks.
Then we have the social skills, which can really only be classified as a lack thereof.Clearly these aliens running this particular bio-suit spark-noted the reading material for the acting human classes, because no human being truly thinks everyone will believe that they know everything about everything.Unless they are Robert Langdon a la Tom Hanks.Then anything goes.But I digress.As a latch-on to the [lack of] social skills, his voice is what might be termed “throaty.” In other words, it sounds like he’s doing a constant Kermit impression but is none too skilled with voices.I guess they picked that up off television and assumed it was the standard.He also talks to himself, which indicates to me that the aliens are having an argument but forgot to turn the microphone off first, like an airline pilot asking the stewardess for sexual favors over the P.A.This is a great deal less humorous than that.
Bob also has a pretty piss poor work ethic, which makes sense considering the aliens running the bio-suit have clearly skipped several lessons in successful infiltration of human society.It only makes sense the human they create will also lack a working knowledge of the human money economy system (you work, and I pay you for working, not for standing around mumbling, or dropping things, or going about half the speed of smell.)
So what I’m saying here is, Bob, unless you want to be jettisoned back to your home planet, start proving to me either that you are actually a human being, or else that you are the decent, hardworking type of alien who actually deserves to live peacefully among us.
Alright, so I spent two weeks in Ireland.I haven’t decided if it was life-changing yet.Ok that’s a lie; I’m changed.#1 suddenly I’m thinking of all the things I didn’t see but want to (such as Newgrange/Bru na Boinne and Knockbridge), so I’ve decided I have to go back with Joe some day.#2 the time away from Joe was, in a word, enlightening.I missed him like crazy, but I didn’t die (obviously) and I seriously feel more independent.I suddenly really want to get my license and maybe get a car (not that I can afford one).I also have a new appreciation of walking, and new confidence in my ability to use public transportation effectively.And by effectively I mean, you know, not dying or finding myself in the wrong country.
As far as religion – wow.I really did have this idealized vision of our universal church, that the Catholic church is the Catholic church is the Catholic church.I got over there, and the difference in spirituality just smacked me upside the face like you wouldn’t believe.They blast through the responses like there’s no tomorrow, and some of those prayers do not have the same wording as in the states (“according to the scriptures” instead of “in fulfillment of the scriptures” in the creed).Not only that, but I didn’t know any of the songs, which, for me, was incredibly frustrating.Until then I hadn’t realized how much my faith actually depended on my love of the music, my love of singing.Still, the devotion to “events” in the liturgical year, was startling.The number of people who showed up to the Corpus Christi procession, including people of all ages, was startling.All those little first communion kids dressed up in their suits and dresses processing with flags, scouts and a band, old women praying the rosary and the divine mercy chaplet, it was an experience I won’t forget.
Nano Nagle – amazing woman.I just read her bio by Sister Mary Raphael of the Victorian Congregation of the PBVM Sisters.I also bought the book that’s basically an easier to read version of the cause of the canonization – which was compiled by Sister Mary Pius, whom I met and am in awe of, btw.I must go back to Cork, and especially Ballygriffin!
I called Mom pretty frequently while I was gone, and I hope to call her more often now that I’m back.I liked talking to her that much.
So, all in all, the trip was life changing.So it was worth it.Now for the work – the presentation next October.Though I’m terrified, I usually am before any project, big or small, for a grade.I picked the subject that I know I can handle and am the most interested in anyway, so I think I’ll pull it off pretty well.
Ok, this year has been pretty hectic. Joe and I have changed the date of our wedding (I believe) twice - it's June 5, 2010 now, after we both graduate college. (whew) It's going to be a private ceremony and dinner in Preston, and we'll probably run off to have fun at the carnival later on.
I thoroughly enjoyed my Christ and Culture class, hated Does the Land Belong to Israel?, Irish Gothic gave me nightmares, Medieval/Renaissance Brit Lit was a blast, and statistics ... didn't kill me. I know, I was shocked too.
This semester's almost over, but all I can say is I'm glad I'm done with my American Lit requirements. I am LOVING both my 18th century Brit Lit class and Medieval Christianity. Issues in Christian Ethics was enlightening, and mythology is just plain fun. as always, I love choir.
I am completely torn up that Christina and Brita are BOTH leaving me, but I think I will survive. Well, Joe says I will, so I guess that'll have to do. I've never lived without my big sister, except for one year while she was at college and I hadn't graduated yet, but I still knew that the next year we'd be together again. I don't know how I'll handle this. Seriously, it's like my last vestiges of my childhood are slipping away, and I can't do anything to stop it. Well, I really am happy for Christina in all she's accomplished - seriously, awards out the ying-yang and two internships. whew!
As always, my faith has sort of gone up and down in the last year, but weekly adoration has really been my rock. An hour with Our Lord a week can change you. I'm really trying to live a sanctified life, devoted to the Lord. wish me luck. I have a new devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, as well as the image of the Lord on the cross. lately when I was in church, all I wanted to do is to sit in front of the tabernacle and never leave. I've given away rosaries, gained new ones ... idk if you'll understand what that means to me, but I felt it was important. I started wearing my brown scapular again. It really is a comfort.
I started reading a lot more of C.S. Lewis, and he's really given me a new perspective on my faith. Also, Evelyn Waugh pretty much rocks. I don't quite get her, but I still love her stories. I started reading the Book of Mormon ... gar? I read the entire Twilight series in about a week ... I fully admit that they are a guilty pleasure with no substance whatsoever, but they're still fun. kind of like a mindless video game ... for chicks.
I learned that living with other people in your apartment is WAY different form living with another person in your dorm room – I LOVE my roommates!
I found out that I get to complete my Irish Studies minor with only 17 out of the required 18 credits, and that I will be the only person to get the minor without actually studying abroad for a whole semester.I am really excited to go to Ireland this summer for the research project (which is only giving me 2 credits).
I can’t wait for Meghan and Christine to get back from their study abroad foreign places – I missed them so much it’s hard to believe I’m still sane.Can you say party?
I kind of had a falling out with APO and Lit Society.I don’t really know what happened, I just stopped participating in activities and going to meetings.I don’t even know if I really want to start it back up again.
Well, as it’s about 2 am and I usually start thinking seriously about going to sleep about this time of night, so I think I’ll finish up for now.I can’t believe all that’s happened in the last year and a half.I’m practically a different person.meh.
Well it’s actually been 4 months since I’ve updated this
thing and I guess it’s time to get y’all up to date on what’s happening in my
life and maybe some thoughts.This is
gonna be a long one.
Engagement
On August 11th
Joe proposed and now I’m wearing a 1/3 karat, marquee cut, princess setting
diamond ring with a gold band.I am
extremely happy.I hope we can get
everything ready for next Christmas (2008), but it may be we’ll have to wait
until we’re both graduated from college.That will make me sad but not horribly sad – I do get to go to school
only 20 minutes away from him AND see him pretty often.The funny thing is I haven’t even met his dad
yet … but that’ll be fixed soon enough.
Classes
This semester I’m taking a great set of classes … well almost.
Short Fiction
Short Fiction is taught by my absolute favorite teacher here at
Loras, Ms. (soon to be Dr.) Jean Merrill.She’s hilarious.And I get to
take it with some of my favorite people – Meghan Hartsell, Christine Duff, Eben
Krapfl, and Allison Aerts.There are
also some people who are just hilarious but I don’t know their names
exactly.We have such a great time in
that class because we can say basically anything we want about the stories
because all literature is just opinion and emotion really.That’s why English kicks ass.
“I think you’re confusing the protagonist with the narrator.”
“I think we can all agree that abortion is not pleasant, right?”
“He just … turns into a bug!?”
“Why can’t we just read something happy??”
Epic Heroes and The Celts
I’m taking what’s called a cluster – that’s two classes taught at
the same time that relate to each other.One is Epic Heroes and in it we talk about ancient Greek/Roman hero
stories: The Iliad, The Odyssey, etc.I don’t
like that class much because the stories aren’t that amusing to me and the prof
isn’t my cup of tea.However, the course
it’s clustered with is The Celts.Seriously, the Celts had some serious BAMF’s.Cu Chulainn just kicks ass.The stories are so fantastic, and the culture
is so bizarre it’s fun.Right now we’re
talking about Irish Christianity, and seriously, Patrick is about as badass as
Cu Chulainn.Check out Muirchu’s Life of
Patrick for full details on Patrick’s badassness.Both these classes are Honors – I have to
take 3 honors advanced gen. ed.’s out of a total of 5 advanced gen. ed.’s.They’re actually not that bad.
“Beware the evil vagina!”
“Medb’s friendly thighs … heh”
We had to do a project that covered some theme in both the cultures,
and we did a video of Cu Chulainn and Achilles fighting on Jerry Springer about
who is the better hero, seriously!It
was amazing.
Intro to Theology and Religious
Studies
This class is a joke, the prof treats us and the class as if we’re
all in high school.The assignments are
just a pain in the ass because they’re not challenging.It’s a matter of turning his ‘directions’
into something that can actually be called a paper and not a book report.Shoot me now.AND I have to take another class with this guy next semester – it’s
required for my rel. studies minor!ARGH!
Catholic Identity: Galadriel,
Odin, and Christ
This is another required course – though it’s not an advanced gen.
ed.; it’s a core class, IOW everybody takes it no matter what.The topics vary though, and ours is Catholic
Imagination.So we read Catholic authors
and talk about sacramentality, mediation, and communion in the stories.So far we’ve covered Flannery O’Connor
(seriously messed up stuff, but also seriously challenging and GREAT), the
Prose Edda by Snorri Sturleson, and now we’re reading Beowulf.In the words of Eben Krapfl, Beowulf is all
man.Beowulf kicks freaking ass.So our first paper in the class was supposed
to be a research paper and he decided it would be ‘really neat’ to do creative
writing in the style of Flannery O’Connor.Kick ass.Now we’re doing an 8-10
page research paper … and mine’s pretty cool I think.I’m arguing that apocryphal gospels have
value for Catholics and for students of literature in general.It’s kicking ass pretty well now. w00t!
“Heretic!”
“We’re talking about the grotesque, do you think this is a good time
to mention his shirt?”
Choir
I didn’t get to do Bella Voce cuz of class schedules but I’m still
in concert choir.I don’t get to go to
China this summer, but I do get to be a bridesmaid in my friend Amie’s
wedding.BUT I WILL go to Rome next
year, no matter what.Bitches.
Still a freshman …
Um so don’t mess up and only finish 8 credits your first
semester of freshman year, cuz then you get way behind.I am technically still a freshman and it
kinda sucks.But I will hopefully catch
up soon.Hopefully…
Silent Day
Abortion is bad.For one day I was silent in solidarity with
the 1.3 million voices silenced every year by abortion.In preparation for this day of silence I
sought information about abortion, both spiritual and physical.Abortion is bad for your body, no if’s, and’s,
or but’s.Abortion causes psychological
damage, especially when there is physical damage to your body.Abortion causes emotional damage.Abortion is wrong in every way, and does much
more harm than good.The negative
effects are glossed over by most people because most people either argue that
it’s morally wrong or that it’s your choice.Nobody even pays attention to the amoral facts of abortion – it’s a
dangerous procedure!I also found some
pretty good evidence in the bible for the soul being present in the body at the
moment of conception.Isaiah talks about
having sin from the moment of conception – sing doesn’t stain a cluster of
cells, it stains your soul, so for sin to be there at the moment of conception
there has to be a soul.Also, John as a
6 month old fetus recognized the personhood of Jesus, the even younger
fetus.“The child in my womb leapt for
joy.”Cognitive thought and emotion –
two things one attributes to a person, not a cluster of cells.Face the facts – abortion is WRONG.
Halloween!!!!
I
rocked the costume contest by dressing as Queen Persephone, Goddess of the
Underworld with Joe dressing as Hades, God of the Underworld … and scaring the
children.Voting starts tomorrow I
believe, I can’t wait!
Harry Potter 7
Wow
I didn’t even say anything about book 7 when it came out.I just wanna say it was a great way to end
the series.Every day I realize something
more about the books.I was sad to not
see the veil or the DoM again but then I realized that JKR was really trying to
emphasize that death is a mystery and we’re just too used to total explication
at the end of every book to realize that it was a conscious move to leave us
with a sense of mystery. I still say the
American cover is misleading … but I’m over it.Despite the fact that I know Ron and Hermione ended up together I’m
still a rabid HGSS shipper and will never repent!Hehehe.The Dumbledore being gay thing … well whatever.It’s not that I’m against it, but like most
Americans who have ever seen The Bird Cage or an episode of Queer Eye,
I have this image of the stereotype that doesn’t fit DD at all and it bothers
me to no end!
Harry
Potter is a Christian allegory, end of story.I think it’s a classic piece of literature that has AMAZINGLY
well-written casual dialogue and folklore.w00t forever!
