kids say the darnest things...

some days the kids are great. top notch. all stars.

and some days they forget to turn in their permission slip for a luncheon that is being put on by their sponsor company. this luncheon is solely to THANK the students... and if a student doesn't go... why that would be RIDICULOUS

ok so let me rewind on this one.

Our kids... who work for awesome companies... sometimes get awesome perks.  For example 6 different companies are hosting 6 different luncheons in which we pull the three students and bring them to their work (the 4th student is already at work). They get to be thanked AND thank their sponsors. and sometimes eat INCREDIBLE food.

but to do so... the kids must bring in a permission slip.

So one student has been give 4 permission slips over the past two weeks and I have sought him out basically daily to ask him/remind him to turn it in.

Yesterday he comes to school permissionslip-less. AND I remind him how embarrassing it would be if he couldn't attend his own THANK YOU lunch all because he couldn't turn in a permission slip.

We call his mom and she says she will come into the school and sign it in the afternoon.  This, naturally, does not happen.

So today I hunt him down first thing to grab that grubby little piece of permission.... and guess who doesn't have it!!!

AHHHH... So I explained how frustrating and ridiculous this was. How it is SO important for us to have a good relationship with these sponsors. How we've been running around all week to make this happen.

This turns out to be like a 5 minute lecture.

And what does he do.... he goes on to tell me that he things "it's a bit funny"

Immabout ready to have steam coming out of my ears but I calmly/sarcastically ask... "And why would it be funny that you forgot your permission slip, cannot go to your own "Thank You" Luncheon....



it was funny because he had it in his pocket the whole time. signed. good to go.

Who knew these kids had a sense of humor. 

The Contradiction of Our Times

This weekend while partaking in America's favorite past time ... No, not the polka, some JVs and I got to go to an Astros game (thanks to the Casa de Esparanza donor for the tickets). Totally unrelated to the game, we started to have a conversation about "Happiness."  Some of this stems from my roommate Emily who is reading a book on said Topic... We both vaguely remembered hearing/reading a reflection on the "contradictions" in our lives.... after a good-old-google- search... I  was able to find it on the intrawebs... it reads as follows..

The Contradictions of Our Times

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller
buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower
viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but
enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families,
more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but
less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more
medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly,
laugh too litle, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too
late, get up too tired, watch TV too much, and pray to
seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've
added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the
way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the
street to meet a new neighbour.

We conquered outerspace but not inner space. We've done
larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've
conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more,
but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've
learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers
to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever,
but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big
men and small character, steep profits and shallow
relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier
houses, but broken homes.

These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers,
throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies,
and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and
nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring
this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either
to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember: Spend some time with your loved ones, because
they are not going to be around forever.

Remember: Say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in
awe, because that little person soon will grow and leave
your side.

Remember: To give a warm hug to the one next to you,
because that is the only treasure you can give with your
heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember: To say "I love you" to your partner and your
loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace
will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside you.

Remember: To hold hands and cherish the moment for someday
that person will not be there again. Give time to love,
give time to speak and give time to share the precious
thoughts in your mind.

And always remember: Life is not measured by the number of
breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath
away.

what if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about..

I am well into the year and have yet to address the question in the title of my blog.

What is "IT" all about?
What is "IT" even refering too?

 I think my knowledge, experience, intellectual fitness and life have lead me to believe... that I am just as clueless as I have always been.

life as we know it.

My life has been filled with lots-o-joys of late.

My parents and brother came and visited, we gallivanted around both Houston and Austin and it was a grand time to see some people that I really love. The weather here has been getting HOT HOT HOT. and my community has been splendid.

Many great joys came from the JVC South silent retreat that all the Texas Jesuit Volunteers attended last week. It was an incredible experience... very fulfilling and surprising that I could stay quiet from Monday to Thursday (alert the press). What an awesome experience that I feel would be very hard to be repeated. The time was filled with... prayer, reflection, relaxation, sun, spiritual direction, journaling , reading, listening etc.

We also all go our own rooms with sinks! and windows! and mine had TWO beds!

Ok to be honest... I didn't really like silent retreat... I LOVED it... who knew the girl who doesn't like alone time and loves to talk and laugh would love the sacred space on retreat... there are some surprises in life. I liked it so much I even missed or came late to some of the "required activities" which is a bit weird for me because I'm a bit detail oriented.
 But honestly... I was just completely enjoying the whole shabang!!

I thought I would share some of a list(see previous link/video) I made on retreat entitled...

The little things that generate joy:

• snail mail
• a well thought out music playlist
• unexpected free time
• getting more freckles
• sleeping in
• unhindered sneezing
• loud music
• snuggling
• a pedicure
• remembering all the things on your to-do list
• success in a new hobby
• when you have dried paint on your hands
• waving at someone from your window
• a weekend at a lakehouse
• applicable understanding of a new word
• when you have an itch and someone scratches it
• when you meet someone and you have friends in common
• a new set of markers
• when a new song has a great beat
• when someone serves a meal that you like
• grilled cheese
• a good run
• thinking about something at night and remembering it in the morning
• inside jokes
• booking a flight
• an afternoon nap
• finishing a painting
• missing someone but knowing you will see them soon
• hearing a laugh you love
• a voicemail or email from someone you've been waiting to call
• finding the prefect gift for someone
• liquids when you are thirsty
• giggling at an old memory
• a song that fits your mood
• winking

Well friends... just thought I would share some of my joys... they certainly are NOT limited to that list.


That's all she wrote.