Christmas is coming...right?

Advent is my favorite liturgical season...and not just because I get to wear purple and pink (err...I mean, rose). I love the anticipation, the joy, the hope that the season brings. I love the idea of trying to simplify and refocus, even when it seems that everyone else around you is getting busier and stressed.

But usually it feels more like Christmas right about this time. (Happy third Sunday of Advent, by the way.) I was talking with some friends last night as we were in the lobby before taking our seats for a show, and we were mostly in accord about this - the feeling of the holiday season just hadn't hit us yet, even though the stores are wall to wall Christmas decorations and we've done our shopping and our trees/lights are up... What was going on this year?

It's funny how things change so fast. As noted, the above conversation was in the lobby as we waited for a show. When we came out of the show at its conclusion, it finally felt like Christmas. Yes, there were holiday songs and Christmas lights in the theater, but that wasn't the reason. Yes, it was an adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," but that wasn't it either... 

I think what made it finally hit was the contagious joy and beautiful messages conveyed cleverly and beautifully through the play. As I looked around the audience at various times during the play, everyone was smiling - they just couldn't help it. The show just gets it right. One "catchy" message that comes in the final song is this: "Christmas is not about presents but about being in the presence of the people you love." (And here's a short reflection from America Magazine that's along these same lines.) As I sat in a long row with 12 of my friends, I realized how true this is. It doesn't matter what we have or give but how we love and accept others' love in return. It's an age-old message, but one worth repeating over and over.

What a group, what a night! The holidays finally feel here. :)

I'll leave you with a few photos from the day/evening - I love bringing good people together:

Patrick couldn't quite get the camera to work at first, so here's a candid shot.

Now we're in business!

I'm getting better at these large group selfies with practice!

Best show (and great new venue)!!

These people bring me so much joy - love them!!

waiting with great anticipation

These smiles say it all - what a show!

Thank goodness for Thanksgiving!

When the school year starts each August, it becomes easy to fall into the daily grind, often causing us to lose sight of the important people and things in our lives. As day follows day and week follows week, it's a constant struggle to just stay afloat. This is just one reason I am especially thankful for Thanksgiving - it's a chance to slow down (not counting the actual turkey trot, where it was necessary to speed up) and relax with family and friends. 

I was lucky enough to visit with my parents and sister (and her fiance) in Michigan. We had a simple Thanksgiving - the annual "Mighty Gobbler" turkey trot in the morning followed by a late lunch/dinner (with my aunt and uncle joining us) around the table. My personal favorite part of the meal was the pumpkin pie. Mmm... 

Also, my sister and I spent part of Thanksgiving afternoon making the traditional family turkey apples. (We just didn't have the cloves for the eyes.)

We spent most of the day after Thanksgiving visiting our great aunt and my grandpa's best friends (who are as close to family as you can get). We shared a lot of good stories and laughs. I love the holidays. :)

My mom and I went to see the movie "Wonder" on Saturday. It stayed pretty true to the book (from what I can recall - I read it over 5 years ago), and it brought a number of tears to my eyes. I'd recommend seeing it.

Before heading out, my parents put up the Christmas tree and hung the lights. My dad even made a new tree topper for it. Then he started playing Christmas music on his guitar. It was then that I realized that I couldn't escape from all things Christmas - the time had come to give in...so I did. I downloaded Leslie Odom Jr's new holiday album for the drive home, and when I got home I wrote out and addressed Christmas cards. (I'm waiting a few days to actually send them, though.) Let the Christmas carols play and the lights shine brightly - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And I'm okay with that.

Ready to go

Only two more days until Thanksgiving break...by Friday at 3:30pm the students and their families will be on their merry ways, and we, the teachers, will be packing up and heading out for ONE. WHOLE. WEEK.

In teaching there are so many ups and downs, not only from day to day but also from class period to class period. Something goes amazingly well or the students are extra attentive in the morning but by afternoon you feel like you're ineffective as a teacher because kids can't seem to follow directions or sit still for more than two minutes at a time. What a roller coaster. I'm certain that mentally, physically, and emotionally I am so ready for this break.

My family's heading up north to us (well, within driving distance) for the holiday, so, alas, the warm weather of back home will continue to beckon to me until January (and only then for a weekend respite on retreat). But before I join them, I am heading to the opposite coast for some much needed visiting with friends. I have never spent much time in that part of the country. (Let's face it, Phoenix, AZ, is its own beast. And I mean that in the best sense.) To say I'm excited would be the biggest understatement of the year.

My bags are packed, and my grad school work for the week is (mostly) done. Let's get this vacation started! (But let's forget about the grading that's starting to pile up...it'll be here when I get back, right?)

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Looking back...and looking ahead

Just finished up trimester 2 parent teacher conference day.

I realized a lot has happened since the last conferences for trimester 1:

- I finished my first semester of online classes for grad school.
- I enjoyed Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with my family.
- I got a shot of cortisone in my foot and started running again, getting up to 9 miles!
- I started dating a very faith-filled, fun, and generous guy.
- I went to a couple of shows, including at the Shakespeare theater and for Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.
- I witnessed my 8th graders receive the Sacrament of Confirmation (and served as a sponsor).
- I attended the annual FL retreat with my grad school classmates.
- I led 4-8th grade Advent retreats and Reconciliation services.
- I started coaching volleyball again.
- I helped some alumni start a new chapter for the school service club.
- I roadtripped for a long weekend to St. Louis to visit with friends.
- I gave a homily during Catholic Schools Week about why I stay in Catholic education.
- I played in the student-faculty basketball game.
- I saw more movies in the theater than I had seen in the past year combined.
- Lent started, and I am working hard to maintain my Lenten promises and use them to help me grow closer to God and others.


And there was probably plenty more that happened along the way (as I know I have had many failures and mistakes too)...

As I look ahead to trimester 3 and the ending of my second semester of online classes for grad school, I have a full, happy heart. I am so grateful for the people who have been walking this journey with me. As I close the chapter of year 30 of my life and prepare to turn 31 this upcoming week (ah!), I can't help but smile.

God is good and always here - in the best of times and in the lowest of times. May these 40 days of Lent be a time of preparation, reflection, healing, and hope for all of us. Amen.

You can call it wonderful...

Those who know me well (or even somewhat well) know that "It's a Wonderful Life" is my favorite movie (and definitely favorite Christmas movie) of all-time. It gets me every time Harry Bailey says, "A toast to my big brother, George, the richest man in town" and everyone bursts into "Auld Lang Syne." Pass the tissues, please.

I'll admit that as I learned more about the Catholic faith, the whole idea of Clarence being an angel did irk me (considering that after we die we believe in becoming Saints, not angels who are separately created beings), but I don't hold that against this movie because I think the message it sends is so very important...and, I mean, who doesn't think of Zuzu's classic line about the ringing bell meaning an angel just made it (wing-wise)?...

"You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?"

Wabam! You tell him, Clarence.

This whole idea of being able to realize, first, that each person's life affects others and, second, that each life affects others to both small and large extents that we may never fully realize or understand. It's quite incredible and humbling, all at the same time.

"Comparison is the thief of joy." Ever heard that one? In the age of instant gratification and social media, it's easy to get caught up in what appears to be important and popular when, instead, we should be focusing on that which can't be measured by likes or swipes. Each person's life is, in fact, wonderful, not by comparison to anyone else (for in that it loses its wonderfulness - the grass is always greener, you know?), but just on its own, this "one wild and precious life" (Mary Oliver).

So, thank you George Bailey and Clarence for the reminder that comes (at least to my house) every Christmas - mine (and yours) truly is a wonderful life.

Digging Deep...So Far, Coming Up Empty

It's the most _____ time of the year. (Just please don't start singing Christmas carols on me...)

You can fill in your own blank. What I want to know is how we've come to such off the wall behavior with the students before we've even made it to Thanksgiving break. Heck, there's no full moon to blame right now, and I know I'm not the only teacher out there struggling. (That is both comforting and frustrating at the same time.)

What's a teacher to do? I promise you, the gray hairs are coming...and my patience is really being tested. What I think the students are missing is respect for (and a healthy dose of fear of) authority. The whole "teacher look" does not work right now - in fact, I can be looking a student in the eye who then will proceed to keep talking after I personally invited him/her to stop. (Ah!)

Sorry, not trying to be Negative Nancy...I just am at a loss. Parent-teacher conferences are coming up this week, but many of the parents I want to see did not sign up. <Fail.>

I'm cautiously optimistic that the whole week we have off for Thanksgiving will be helpful...but there's a part of me that thinks when we get between Thanksgiving and Christmas that there will be no hope whatsoever for getting the students to be respectful participants in the classroom.

I think my prayers have intensified every day. And I'm going to keep revving my prayers up. Whatever it takes...100% every day, no less...

Now is the Time

Oh, hey there. It's me...still me...just me.

Ready for 2015?

I'm getting there...slowly...

In fact, I've started a list (as well as a Pinterest board) of things/goals to strive for in 2015:

1. Be on the lookout for God moments (and spend time in gratitude for them, using my gratitude journal regularly).
2. Drink more water.
3. Stick to marathon training (aim for 4-5 days of running/gym per week), even when the going gets tough...or the roads freeze over. (And sign up for the Flying Pig 2015 marathon...)
4. Go to Wednesday evening Mass (or Thursday adoration) at least once a month.
5. Pray a decade of the Rosary every day.
6. Read books. For fun. And for teacher education/learning.
7. Learn the guitar...one chord at a time...
8. Stress less...breathe more...
9. Drink less coffee/caffeine...one morning cup is enough!
10. Be a better listener/more present.
11. Stay calm in the classroom and try not to raise my voice.
12. Cook more meals/real food.
13. Eat chocolate...in moderation.
14. Send birthday cards...on time.
15. Make a schedule (& goals) at the beginning of each week to plan activities, school-related commitments, etc. accordingly.

The list will go on, but for now, that's a pretty good start. Perhaps blog regularly (or, even daily) should be on there? Hmm...

Many blessings to you and yours in the new year!

Pumpkin Carving Fun

Happy (early) Halloween!

 

Independence Day 2014

Sometimes pictures say it better than words...Happy (belated) 4th! (These pictures were taken on the lake on which my grandpa's best friends live - it was a wonderful visit & fireworks display.)

Your Mother and Mine

It was amusing to log into Facebook this morning and see the vast amount of posts about "Mothers' Day" - let's just say, it's definitely trending.

While many people (at least at some point) may claim to have "the best" mom, there is one mother we, in the Catholic faith, believe is mother to us all - Mary.

And what better time than the month of May (and especially on Mothers' Day) to turn to our universal mother and ask for her intercession? For we believe she hears our prayers and carries them directly to God.

And no matter what title you call her by - "Our Lady of Guadalupe," "Mary, Help of Christians," "The Immaculate Conception," "Mary, the mother of God," etc. - she is one in the same...she just looks a little differently.

Have you tried to pray to Mary? If it's been awhile or if you have some skepticism of the whole "Why do Catholics pray to Saints?" thing, may I suggest a few simple ways to pray:

- Include a simple invocation at the end of your prayer, such as "Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us!" (That's the Salesian in me coming out...) or "Our Lady of Victory, pray for us!"

- Pray a "Hail Mary" when you find yourself getting frustrated or when you hear/see an ambulance go by.

- Pray the Rosary. (They have lots of apps like this one available for FREE download for iPads and iPhones now...)

Rosary from Lourdes (one student's dad brought it back from his recent pilgrimage)

- Have a prayer conversation with Mary, much like you may have with your own mother.

Another way we can honor Mary is by loving and honoring our own mothers. So, if you are one of those lucky people who still live close to home or who happen to have traveled to spend the day with your mom, enjoy your time together - there can never be too many hugs! (I, unfortunately, am many miles away from my mom today, but we're going to attempt our first Facetime chat later...we shall see...)

Happy Mothers' Day to all moms, soon-to-be moms, and those who hope to one day raise a family. God bless!

Mothers' Day 2014

Wishing a most wonderful Mothers' Day - I know it's a little early - to my mom and all mothers! Thank you for all you do!

Spring tulips in bloom in Chicago

Finishing up with Lent...

Finally! The last of the Lenten door decorations is up:

And my Lenten prayer doodle is complete (I worked ahead):

We're almost to Easter - such anticipation. Can you feel it? (I'm definitely ready to sing A******* and spend quality time with my family this weekend.) On a related note, I read a great post over at Catechist's Journey blog --> Knowing How the Story Ends Changes How You Experience the Story - Here, the blogger talks about how we don't have to be/act sad during the events of Holy Week (sober? yes, but sad? no) because we know of Jesus' overcoming of death through His Resurrection on Easter. (He is risen!)

This Holy Week, may you be filled with the anticipation of Easter, realizing fully God's sacrificial love for us.

---

Unrelated but couldn't help sharing --> Have you seen this article about how a statue of a homeless Jesus is making some people uneasy? Personally, I think it's beautiful - it's a reminder that Jesus is in each one of us, from the greatest (in society's eyes) to the least. Let people talk about it - the conversation needs to happen.

Snow Day = Extended Christmas Break

Snow day? That phrase is one of which dreams are made.

When I got the text from my co-worker that school would be closed on Monday, I pretty much squealed with joy. (Think small child receiving amazing gift on Christmas morning.)

Can we say decreased stress level? Yes.
Are my lesson plans for the week finished? Yes.
Do I have the motivation to work ahead for next week? Ummm...I'm working on that.

But it was so nice to take a break last night and this morning - after Mass, my sister came over, and, with one of my roommates, we did some typical night-before-snow-day activities: board game, movie, and chocolate. And, before bringing my sister back to her apartment this morning, we caught up on Episode 1 of Season 4 Downton Abbey. (It's a good one!)

Yes, it's certainly cold outside. (If you don't believe me, check my car's digital temperature reading on the left below - I didn't think it could show negative numbers, but, apparently, it can.) I wonder what tomorrow's weather will bring...

Looks like it's time to get motivated - It shouldn't be that hard because it's too cold to venture outside and there's not much on TV...but these things are easier said than done...

Hallelujah Christmas

From the website: "This version of ‘Hallelujah’ by Cloverton will touch your heart." -->

A Hallelujah Christmas

Define "Classic"

A few weeks ago (you know, before Christmas), I heard a disturbing conversation on the radio about voting for holiday classics - the disturbing part being that movies like "A Christmas Story," "Christmas Vacation," "Home Alone," & "Elf" topped the list.

Classics? Really? These are considered classics?

Come on now. They may be movies that everyone watches, but they aren't ones that have withstood the passing of the years - ones seen by our parents and grandparents.

So, how about these? Have you seen these holiday classics...?

• It's a Wonderful Life
• White Christmas
• The Bells of St. Mary's (& Going My Way)
• Holiday Inn
• Little Women (any year/version)
• Christmas in Connecticut
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version)
• Any of the ABC claymation/cartoon movies like Santa Claus is Coming to Town or The Year Without a Santa
• Muppet Family Christmas - you can see the whole thing on YouTube here! (This is a personal family favorite!)

If you haven't seen some of the movies above, I urge you to head to your nearest library, RedBox, or NetFlix account and check them out.

You won't be sorry - these truly are the classics.

Also, have you ever seen Claymation Christmas? If not, do you have about 30 minutes to spare to see it?...Enjoy!

Was That Choice Moral or Not? - A Classroom Activity & Assessment

Dear George, 
Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.
Thanks for the wings!
Love, Clarence

Thus (nearly) ends the beloved holiday classic, "It's a Wonderful Life" - a film that tells the story of George Bailey and the many people whose lives he touches by his innate desire to put family and friends above personal wants and human dignity above profit.

In my humble opinion (as I'm sure I've mentioned before), this is the greatest holiday classic movie of all time, so I thought it would be worthwhile to show this movie to my 6th grade students (especially since most of them had never seen it before). However, seeing as I only see each period for 40-45 minutes a day, I couldn't reconcile giving up valuable teaching time to watch a movie just for the sake of watching a movie. (On a side note - when I taught 4th grade, I didn't have any problem simply putting in a movie, as in a self-contained classroom, I saw them all day and the poor dears were restless by the end of most days leading up to Christmas break.) So, I had to find (or create) a bridge between the movie and our latest unit, which focused (at least in part) on moral decision-making.

Well, George and the other characters surely make a lot of decisions throughout the course of the movie - from saving Harry's life to not delivering the pills from Mr. Gower to sending Harry to school instead of himself so as to run the family business...the list of decisions (good and bad) goes on and on.

Bingo.

This is about how I felt when I figured out the connection

I would have the students apply the three components of moral decision-making that we learned about to the scenarios/decisions in the movie. So, the weekend before that last week before break, I crafted the assessment & rubric.

Looking back on the assessment (as I am currently scoring their letters/essays), there are things I would change about it for the future. For example, I would provide some scenarios from the movie for them and have them proceed to apply the moral decision-making components in order to avoid a mere summary of movie events. I would also be more explicit with the directions about including connections to our own prayer lives, as that was the source of some confusion with the movie.

But overall, I think the kiddos did a nice job. Here's an excerpt from one student's essay:

"...When George Bailey jumped into the river to save Clarence, his object was jumping into the river...his intention was to save Clarence, and the circumstances were George Bailey was on the bridge at night with freezing water. Since saving Clarence was good in all three elements, the moral decision was good..."

Well, I think most of them got the gist of the assignment. 

...And they enjoyed this holiday classic - some even told me as they left class on Thursday afternoon that this was their new favorite Christmas film. (And I do believe they were telling the truth.)

George Bailey and his friends/family sure do have a lot to teach all of us about making decisions that reflect good morals on friendship, family, and human worth. By the end of the film, we learn that George really was the richest man in town, not by the standards of Mr. Potter but by the richness of his life blessed with those whose lives he touched.

This movie never gets old. In fact, I watched it three times this year (two of those times were with my two six grade classes and one was with my family), and I never got bored. Additionally, much like the sentiment stated below, I cried every time.

I do hope you (and your loved ones) had the chance (or will soon take the chance) to watch this movie over the holiday season. May this Christmas and New Years be a blessed one for you!

Give Me Your Burdens

Today's Gospel is short but very meaningful to me, as it is the one we read as Ministers of Care when we go into each hospital room to give Communion.

Short...but comforting...especially to those undergoing treatment or recovering at the hospital.

Today's reading serves as a reminder to me why I do what I do. And, let's face it, I need that reminder every now and again, especially on those days when it's hard to get myself out the door or when it would be easier to stop going altogether. (Trust me, I thought about it - but then I realized I was just being selfish if I did quit.)

But, don't we all need those kinds of reminders - ones that give us a swift kick in the pants and tell us to keep going?

I think it's especially true now, as we find ourselves in the midst of the holiday season - all the rushing, hustle & bustle. We need a reminder to snap us into remembering what really matters.

But God already gave us a reminder - He sent us His Son.

This Christmas, Lord, may we keep your presence and glory at the center of all we do. May we make it less about the shopping and parties and gifts that our culture keeps emphasizing and advertising, and, instead, make it more about preparing for your arrival and second coming. We ask this, in your name. Amen.

Christmas Music

Though some of my "Top 10" Christmas songs definitely shuffle from year to year, I am inspired (from a question posed a volleyball last night) to re-post my favorites from 2011:

10. Winter Wonderland
9. The Christmas Waltz
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
7. Believe
6. Mary, Did You Know?
5. Little Drummer Boy
4. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
3. O Little Town of Bethlehem
2. I'll Be Home for Christmas

and...

1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

There are so many other Christmas songs that make my heart happy too, especially "We Need a Little Christmas" (especially the Muppet version), "All I Want For Christmas is You" (any time of year...oh, Notre Dame), "Silver Bells," and "Mele Kalikimaka."

I found the Christmas radio station on my way to work this morning...Keep those songs coming!

Thanksgiving

Eucharist...the source and summit of our Catholic faith...literally translated as "thanksgiving"...

What a beautiful word...what an incredible experience...

I agree with my school parish's pastor - Thanksgiving should be a holy day of obligation on the Church calendar. It's so important to stop in the midst of all the craziness (especially during the holidays) to give thanks for all we have.

And, as our pastor back at home in St. Pete pointed out, it's time to turn our thanksgiving into "thanks-doing" and show by our actions just how grateful we are and how much we have to share.

And maybe, when this happens, we might be able to bring the holiday season back to what it ought to be - a season of true joy and giving...

Camel's Back...

The last thing any teacher wants at the end of a long day and on the eve of parent-teacher conferences is an email saying all lesson plans for the week after Thanksgiving break need to be turned into the office by Tuesday afternoon.

Talk about adding to the stress. Conferences (whether easy or with tension) are tough enough - and so time-consuming to prepare and execute. Ah!

Let's just say that the email/request was almost the straw that broke this camel's back. (As my sister and I concluded yesterday - Does the work ever end? Is it worth it to put up with all the parents and misbehaved students?...)

Well, once I let off some steam, I did find some consolation - since I teach Religion, at least we'll be learning about Advent. So, while I had to do a lot of background research on the topic of Church history (Apostolic Age to present) because I didn't have much of an idea of what happened during that time, I don't have to do quite so much to prepare myself to plan the lessons for this topic. And (thank goodness) I can use some of the same activities across grade levels.

We'll definitely be doing a Jesse Tree...

In the long run, I guess b****ing and moaning doesn't help that much. If anything, I need to remember to stay calm, buckle down, and get it done. After all, it will be better to have those lesson plans finished so I can enjoy Thanksgiving break.

Oh, and plan those 4 mini retreats for our campus too...