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.

you know those foward emails that you hate getting...

Well you are just in luck... because this isn't an email... but I did take this from one of those forwards!


The forward says the following:


Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .TTo celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time.. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come....

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

So I guess I liked it. Some more than other (in fact I made the ones I really liked bold to let you know).

i have a lot of other great qualities too.

remember when marcel the shell said that.... "... and i have a lot of other great qualities too"

welp. i am going to share some facts (ok not so much qualities) about me.

why. because fellow blogger of mine...  awarded me the the "7 Facts Blog Award." (thanky!) As a result of receiving the award. all i have to do is list 7 random facts about myself. thanks stephanie for the shout out!


seven facts about me.

1. i eat vegetables.
ok. you caught me. i am a vegetarian. and i love vegetables (and carbs too). ive been one for a decade now... so things are working out pretty good for me. i love being a vegetarian but sometimes i greatly dislike all the questions and discussions that come with it... (why are you a vegetarian, do you miss meat, if there was a burger in front of you would you eat it, what if there was no food left on the earth but meat).... that list can go on for some time. i am a vegetarian because I want to be... i want YOU to be whatever because YOU want to be... I don't judge meat-eaters that's your choice not mine (do I ask you a million questions about why you eat meat... nope) and let's be honest my reasons for being a vegetarian have changed over time.... didnt want to eat friendly animals, animal housing conditions, environmental effects, human rights issues...anywho... i am a veggie!






2. boston college is heaven on earth.

i guess i should also take this time to say that i am 22 and have been in the catholic school environment since i was 4. thanks saint judes, divine savior holy angels, boston college and now cristo rey jesuit for keeping me a catholic school girl. but really i love bc. i went there (kinda sorta) on a whim... and i am so glad i got to spend four amazing years there

3. i like prime numbers.

2,3,7,11.... i like 'em all.

4. i make to do lists..
i love them. i make them. i make little boxes next to the task. and i check/cross/slash things off when i am done. i seriously live by these because i am an uber forgetful person... the to do lists keep my head on straight. 






5. i like to rock a side pony
the higher. the sassier. the better.

6. niemer envy.

my mom says a lot of people have this. real envy of wishing they could be a part of our awesome family. i think she is on to something.

7. i like hobbies... like scrapbooking and collecting flattened pennies

seriously. i love having hobbies. i really have a bunch. i do love to scrapbook (although i havent done it in a while) and i also love to collect flattened pennies... i have a bunch (like close to 100) and i have some wonderful friends who have collected some along the way for me...spain. equador. disney. nola. boston... you name it. if its a flattened penny I will take it! and if you are reading this and acquire some and want to send them my way i will love you forever!


i do have other great qualities too...

behold god beholding you and smiling..

just a shout out to my roommate (emily) who did a community night that got us all writing affirmations for eachother. she also told us that it could be a time to write something about the relationship/feedback.. i can't think of the right phrase for this... but she said something along the lines of sometimes its easier to talk to someone about something when its through the lens of love...

she then hung them in our room yesterday.

last night i picked one at random and read it.

now i am not going to say who its from... but as always affirmations are nice to read and hear.. this one was particularly pleasant because it was simple and sweet. and reminded me that some friendships just work. and for that i am lucky.

some other random thoughts on this.... when i wrote mine i wrote it under the idea of "BDG" which is a game my highscool friends and i sometimes play when we come together. 

its really simple. you share one "brag" one "deisre" and one "gratitude"

this gave me an outline for my community notes as all my community mates have many things to

brag about. 

long for. 

and remind me why i am thankful to live with them for a year!

final thought... 

the title of my blog is what the front of our affirmations read. 

behold god beholding you and smiling. 

its from Anthony de Mello. 

like (facebook style).