Wild One

Friday’s potluck turned out into a grand affair!  We all met up at birthday girl’s house and enjoyed yummy food (pizza, cob salad, veggies… And lots of wine)! 

 The BFF Gang!

 Happy Birthday Sweetness!

 The foodies!

Even though birthday girl is a year younger than me, I have learned a great deal from her chumminess.  Compassion: When my brother died she would call me every couple of days and listen to me talk about my pain, she had just gotten out of the Air Force and we had corresponded some while she was away, but after my brother died she became my main confidant.  Generosity: When my ex-boyfriend and I called it quits, she was there to nurture my wounds and to distract me with a Texan vacation.  Tough Love: When I was an out-of control drunk (following these losses) she had a one-on-one intervention and put things into perspective.  Her courage to confront me and help me see the mess I was making of my life made me stop that behavior.  Loyalty & Sacrificial Love: When I had my mental breakdown she would visit me daily even though I would say really mean, disheveled things to her. She’s never left my side especially when I pushed her away she remained ever faithful…  Commitment: When I started therapy she went to my first appointments with me and just sat silently next to me…

 Photo with the kids!

Oh but, we’ve also had some pretty, wild, entertaining adventures!  From following a band to couch potato movie nights... When I am with her I can’t stop laughing  - our personalities just mesh really well (she’s a Bingley to my Darcy references from Pride & Predijudce ) or just an extrovert who can talk up a storm, while I lend an ear. 

 Later at the Bar...

She’s really special - though she’s a non-practicing Buddhist, she cheers me on in my pursuit towards holiness.  She’s been to services with me and started reading a book that is very dear to me (The Case for Christ), hopefully one of these days she will believe (smile).  Finally, though her ideas on sex are very different from mine, when I was contemplating having sex because I felt pressured she was the one who told me to wait until I had no doubts about my decision.  I guess she’s just too darn wise for her age – though she will never admit to it!

Best Friends Para Siempre!

God has really blessed me with quite a colorful bunch! 

Pumpkin Patch

A few of my best friends have children; thus, I get to do a lot of kid friendly activities (when I become a parent I will have had extensive training (smile)). All of us "grown-ups" are children of immigrant parents; as children we never got to do any seasonal outings; hence, we enjoy ourselves a little too much!

Earlier today, we went to the Pumpkin Patch at Irvine Railroad Park.  While these excursions are formed around the children we can't help reliving our childhoods through the eyes of the kiddos, some of us a little more than others (wink).   It's a super learning experience to have exposure to the seasonal changes and holidays through events like these, and it supports our parks!  Though it gets really hot (in California during this fall event) and it can get pricy - we are creating memories with each other and helping shape our children. 

 Happy Autumn!

 Horsing around!

My Goddaughter & I being silly!

 Look at our Snoopy Shirts!

 Time to go pumpkin shopping!

Since, I don't have any children, I normally take my nephew or my dog depending on the event.  To be honest, when my first, best friend got pregnant I had my doubts - I was terrified that after she had the baby we wouldn't have much in common or that she would only be interested in spending time with other moms...  I would picture myself going to kid birthday parties and leaving with noise head aches and dirty clothes from all the slobber! Or worse listening to my friend's never ending stories of nothing else other than her children. During those nine months she was pregnant I really feared the change. 

 I've grown since last year!

Our relationship did change and I do listen to a lot of stories about her children (but I love these stories)... Now many other best friends have had babies and I am still friends with all of them (mainly because they allow me to be part of their lives)! I even opened a Facebook account specifically for the pictures and videos the proud parents love to display.  Now, I ask for the mommies to hand over their children so I can get my slobber session.

Change in any relationship is scary, but if you allow yourself to be open and face your fears... Magic Happens.     

Happy Feast Day!

Happy Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi!!!  On October fourth, Catholics celebrate a day that commemorates the life & death of Saint Francis of Assisi.  On this day we remember the saint that is best known for his rejection of material wealth to follow the call to “repair God’s church.”  Saint Francis born into wealth left everything to pursue a life devoted to God and the poor. He loved nature and is often remembered for his love of animals and passion for God’s creation.  Thus, on this day many churches participate in the blessing of animals.  Unfortunately, there are no parishes near where I live that participate in this ritual, but fear not, I have a plan!  I asked Father if he would bless my fur ball and he agreed to do it!!! Hip-Hip Hooray for Father!

Dollar out and about!

Father is a man with quite a sense of humor.  I was talking to him about why we don’t hold an event to bless our pets and he laughed and told me the following joke: 

“One day a man came to a priest and asked if the priest could perform a baptism for his dog, and the priest was very disturbed because sacraments are holy and only given to people, so he explained that to this weirdo.  Then, the man told the priest that he was going to donate a thousand dollars to the parish for this ceremony.   So, the priest took the man’s check and asked him when he wanted to celebrate the dog’s first communion.”

Dollar searching for his frenemy the Squirrel!

Then Father lets out a contagious laugh!  "Penny, you can bring Dollar (my dog) over and I will be more than happy to bless him for you."  Thus, I am super excited because after work my doggie is getting blessed! Hip-Hip Hooray for Father!

Dollar guarding momma's shoes! Grrr....

Also, today is my best friend’s (an aside, I have quite a few “best” friends - not wanting to confuse you) birthday!  We are having a potluck at her place tonight.  Her birthday is the reason that I never forget the Feast of my favorite saint. She couldn't have been born on a better day because she is the essence of humility and is always so caring towards others! Happy Birthday beautiful!  Every year this day merrits a double celebration.  Also, she is the parent to Dollar's best friends Cookie and Coco. 

Happy Birthday Beautiful girl!

Bestest dog friends!

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." -Saint Francis

Trick-or-Treat

Since it’s the first of October, I wanted to share that I love Halloween.  For a Christian, I think that’s a rather devious statement due to the fact that the holiday is quite controversial among people of faith.  I know that the history of the holiday is one of the strongest reasons people oppose the holiday… But knowing so, I still love it! 
  

Let me explain, I love Shakespeare and his clever poetry is to blame for my love of an anti-Christian holiday.  Shakespeare, As You Like It (act two, scene seven), has the infamous “All the World’s a Stage” prose.  In this piece, Shakespeare compares life to a theatrical performance where the players are constantly changing masks in everyday life.  When I was in my English class (in high school) and my professor reviewed this piece I was in love!  Teen years are a time of confusion, of journey to self-identity and self-discovery; thus, teenagers are notorious for having “many faces.”  They play a character of themselves at home, another at school, still another another in athletics and clubs… They shift from one self to the next with little thought. 

My funny Clown!

While Shakespeare’s piece focuses on the various stages of life, I took the literal meaning from it.  As one grows into adulthood and self-acceptance is achieved there’s less need for many disguises - BUT on Halloween one has the opportunity to be anything the imagination can conjure.  I’ve always been an introvert and quite timid, so, on Halloween I let my inner diva come out thank goodness it’s only once a year!

Soy la Chilindrina con mi calabasita!

 

I am not concerned with the satanic history of Halloween because it’s the twenty-first century and now it’s really just a commercialized festivity.  A lot of the holidays at one point were pagan celebrations, but the church used those occasions to evangelize.  Every year my nephew and I work efficiently tagging candy with “Jesus loves you” stickers so that when the trick-or-treaters stop by the house they will get a treat with a Christian message.  In addition, instead of “Happy Halloween” we greet them with “Jesus loves you.” I think that day is a great opportunity to reach the multitude because a great number are out and about... I am just being cleverly efficient for Jesus! (SMILE)
  

More Than a Feeling

Yesterday, I was walking around Mile Square Park with my close friend and we started talking about our spirituality. 

“Lately, I haven’t been feeling like performing any of my spiritual commitments,” I began.  “I’ve been going to adoration and having difficulty concentrating and sometimes I leave the chapel feeling worse than when I went in. Finally last night, I was so tired of feeling so distant from God,” I continued, “that in the middle of the night I jumped out of bed and started talking to Jesus.  I told Him this has to stop, I’m tired of feeling so distant from you, I will go to confession later in the week, but for now I am going to apologize and repent for everything and clear the air.  Then guess what happened?  A light went off in my brain and I realized what is happening! God & I, our relationship is maturing… That crazy, madly in-love honeymoon stage is over! God is inviting me to have an adult relationship with Him.  One in which I am not always going to feel like doing the right things, but I still must do them - sacrificial love!”  (EUREKA)

My nephew caught me writing!

Scientist believe that when people fall in love - that giddiness, racing heart, flushed skin, sweaty palms, mind obsessed with thoughts of the significant other are a result of the brain releasing higher levels of Dopamine (the pleasure chemical).   In time, as the relationship progresses, the brain gets back to its normal levels of brain chemistry and people at this point have two ways of reacting. One, they realize that the excited feelings are gone and that must mean they are no longer in love.  Or two, that honeymoon period of the relationship is over, but love is more than a feeling, thus they must press on.

 A rose from dad's garden.

It’s difficult to do things when there's no instant gratification (usually I procrastinate), but when I am doing things out of love for another I eventually get to it…  I think of my mom, how she sacrificed a career to be a stay at home mom.  How she cooks, cleans the house, does laundry among a million other house chores – yet she does it all with the utter most happiness.  In my naiveté I believed she did everything because she HAD to, but now I know it’s been her choice all along –all those actions are expressions of love.  Love is the most present in ordinary tasks so much so that an untrained eye tends to dismiss it!  

Mami in her element.

Movies & Theatre O My!

This past weekend I had to work on Saturday (boo), I just started a new position and for a little bit my life will be more hectic than usual.  Thus, I opted for a relaxed weekend and rented The Great Gatsby to watch Friday night.  I have a weakness for period pieces and for remakes of literary classics, and I  guess that makes me a tough critic on certain films.  While I never really had strong feelings for the novel, the movie itself was better than I expected, though I wouldn't watch it again...  The costumes were amazing and the scenery a true fairy tale, but the musical score killed it for me.  I have nothing against Jay Z, but rap and hip-hop in an adaptation of a mid-twenties movie - not a successful mixture in my opinion.

On Saturday afternoon my coworkers and I, headed to The Attic Theatre to watch HMS Pinafore and again I wasn't impressed.  I think it's the one of the worst plays that I have seen in awhile.  At least the company was awesome (smile).  After the play we went out to dinner and had some great, girlie conversations.  That was the best part of the evening having some girl time.  

Now to finish the weekend, it's 'Suit Up Sunday" for myself and the teens.  Once in awhile we like dressing to the nines for Jesus (Sunday Mass) and then having Life Night in our Sunday's best.  Happy Sunday!

Ordinary Life

When I was in elementary I used to love to read biographies of Civil Rights Activists like Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglas, and Malcolm X… I was fascinated by their passion and courage to stand up for what is humanly right.  They were my heroes – at times I even allowed myself to dream of one day having my own cause and fighting vigorously for it… When I started reading the Bible; and, learning about the biblical heroes, again I envisioned myself crusading for my faith in foreign countries doing valiant missionary work.  I waited for the day when God would send me to battle and I would victoriously defeat evil in the name of love…

As any good soldier, I prepared: reading scripture, spiritual books, going to confession, attending mass and enrolling in biblical courses.  But the call never came. 

My dog being his best!

Recently, I discovered that God has given me a mission, but it requires little travel and no tremendous exploit.  “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…” Every day I must love those who God has given me (as my lot) and I must do it exceptionally well.  In the ordinary tasks(like going to work, walking my dog, cleaning the house, washing clothes, doing the dishes…) I found my mission.  For love is an action.   

My sis being the best mom!

All of us have been commissioned to be heroes in our own homes and families.  Take that responsibility and make it an extraordinary adventure! 

“There is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it. Our ordinary everyday life, devoid of human glamour, can be a path to holiness.” St. Josemaria

Bad Day

This week has been difficult (and it’s only Tuesday)…Negativity has ruled my mind and I just can’t get out of the funk.   Am exhausted!  I just want to get in my bed and get out of it on a future morning when the day is unblemished and full of promise.  Am so tired of fighting with my mind all morning, chronic fatigue, another characteristic of Bipolar Disorder.  Tiredness comes and visits me a few days a month and it’s such a struggle to function and accomplish daily tasks.  On days like today I feel far away orbiting my body in a haze.

My lifeguard walks on water.

I wish I could enlighten you with simple techniques, but the reality is that I just press on.  No matter how great the desire to sleep all day is, I put my fists up and fight.  The odds of me winning are better if I have a routine established.  Today, I must work at least eight hours and then I must give my doggie a good walk anything else I accomplish on this day will be a small miracle.

Little Guys that always make me smile.

Usually a period of fatigue follows a manic stage.  It’s really your body crashing after a period of much activity and little sleep. Thus, one needs to take the time to catch-up on sleep and allow the body to recover from the frantic time. Since treatment the symptoms between manic and depressive have lessened, but it’s still a battle to focus on “truth” rather than “feeling.” 

Jorge Drexler - Al Otro Lado del Rio

In addition to the low energy, depressive thoughts overwhelm my mind. I have found success in confronting these feelings with reality.  Like today, I was feeling terribly insecure so much so that even changing lanes 0n the freeway required more concentration than usual.  I felt like talking to no one and desperately wanting to be invisible so that I wouldn’t have to acknowledge anyone in my path. These were all negative coping mechanisms to the self-doubt and insignificance that overpowered my mind.  So, I stopped and confronted these lies that my mind was focusing on and attacked them with God’s truth. I am beautifully made and worth so much so that Jesus became man, died and overcame death for me - even on days when it doesn’t feel like it! He loves me and that is enough. Press on, rema, rema, rema-a… (smile)   

Weekender

I am still exhausted from the weekend…  On Saturday morning, I helped out at our Annual Parish Festival (at the book booth).  I think I ended buying more than I actually sold!  In addition to shoes I love books!  I am not technologically savvy so I prefer paperbacks, even though they occupy too much space.  It’s tough finding used Catholic books, but I found a couple on Saturday (wohoo).  I am going to be giving a talk to confirmation students on “The Mass” and I found a book that might help me with that and one solely on confirmation (am excited)!  

  

Every year on a Saturday in September our parish hosts “September Fest” which includes games, shopping, live entertainment and delicious, cultural food.  It’s a great way to have fun and raise funds for the parish. 

On Sunday, I headed to the Lyceum Theatre to enjoy Narnia.  I love supporting community theatre and tend to go to many plays during the year.  This was my second performance at the Vanguard University Theatre and overall it was a swell production.  The students really did an impressive job on the costumes and the make-up! 

         

After so much fun, now I need a day off to recuperate (wink). 

New Beginnings

Baby showers are always bittersweet occasions in my mind; it's at moments like these when I reflect on how some babies are anxiously and lovingly waited for - while many others are unwanted.

The cute cake!

On Saturday, I helped my close friend host a baby shower for her first little bundle of joy and this little guy is one of the fortunate.  From the moment the parents found out they were expecting they were head-over-heels in love with the tiny creature growing slowly inside.  I always marvel at how wise God is... Every pregnant mother (and father) have to wait over nine months to receive their babe.  During this time they prepare for the great change that is happening and will forever continue once the baby arrives.  

Creative grandma made the fruit baby.

Waiting... I don't think many people enjoy the waiting process.  Especially, American society, we want it and we want it now!  But parents have no choice they must wait before their baby is strong enough to enter the world.  Throughout the pregnancy they learn about the birth process, attend classes, decide who will be present at the birth, pack the overnight bag, prepare the nursery, etc.  The whole waiting process is a time full of hope.

Who's that baby (SMILE)

I think most of our prayers are like small pregnancies- we must wait for God to answer them; but, unlike pregnancies prayers that require waiting can be very hopeless times.  Unless we look at our unanswered prayers as moments of preparation.  We might not be able to change the process, but we sure can change our thoughts about the wait and in doing so save our peace of mind.      

The Proud Parents