RETREAT

Yesterday was our retreat for RCIA. Next Saturday, the 15th during Easter Vigil (held the eve before Easter,) I will officially become a member of the Catholic Community. It is amazing how fast the time has passed. It is amazing how much I have learned in such a short period of time. It is amazing how much I still have yet to learn...

At this point, I feel my Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults experience has been quite rewarding and fulfilling. It has assisted in the filling of the void I had as it relates to spirituality. I'm experiencing Peace.

The retreat basically was a time of reflection on the things we have learned...the things we have experienced...and will continue to experience on our spiritual journey. We went to St. Peter and Paul's Retreat house in Newark, OH. The day was organized very well and centered around Holy Week and what we should expect during Easter Vigil (the time we accept the Rite of Initiation (Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation.) The members of the RCIA team did an excellent job of explaining all of the symbols we will see during Holy Week and also associated a visual and a song. Additionally, we received a list of scripture passages we could look up on our own time as it correlates with the individual symbols. And then we were given an hour of time to reflect and pray.

After lunch, we walked the Stations of the Cross. What a meaningful experience! The Stations represent a walk with Jesus through the Passion. It was so moving. Each station (there are 14 stations in total) gives a visual depiction of what happened to Jesus from the moment he was condemned to die. Catholics "pray'/"do" the Stations of the Cross to enter into an understanding of the mystery of Jesus' gift of himself to us throug an imaginative and reflective process.

The retreat site was BEAUTIFUL, although it was chilly that day. It was an appropriate way to prepare for our Initiation and allowed me to take time for my soul...

What is a Hero?

So, I jumped on the bandwagon and started a MySpace page... And one of the things to list were your heros. I wasn't quite sure what to say at first... I used to always think of a hero as a fictional character, like Superman or Wonderwoman. Had you asked me when I was 7, that would have been my answer. Honestly, I don't think I would've ever characterized someone I knew as an hero.

Webster's defines hero as:

1 a : a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability b : an illustrious warrior c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d : one that shows great courage
2 a : the principal male character in a literary or dramatic work b : the central figure in an event, period, or movement
4 : an object of extreme admiration and devotion :

I guess I could say my parents...for I admire them and they have shown great strength to raise us and live as they do. And there definitely are people in my life...and the world who could be characterized as such. Soldiers in Iraq are extremely admirable and courageous.

However, I bolded the points that most stood out as I read. And personally, to me, this clearly is a description of Jesus Christ. It's uncanny how perfectly it fits...and ultimately, that is my answer.

Friends are wonderful...

I have some really good people in my life I can honestly call my friends. There is about 8 or 9 of us from the job who hang out regularly... Some of the best times I've spent in my adult life!

Really good conversation... Contagious laughter... No inhibitions... Just real.

Life is good.

LENT

What a wonderful time of prayer and reflection! We fasted on Ash Wednesday... It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I used prayer and meditation to get me through. We also ended up going to mass at 7pm...and immediately to the grocery store. Oh, the stares we got...(from having ashes on our foreheads.)

We're giving up meat for lent... 40 days. That's a long time. The idea is to create a hole for the Spirit to fill... There's definitely a hole, allright. I just need to work harder on praying. Finding "alone" time and silence isn't as easy as it seems.........................................

Close of February...

Winter has been mild here in Columbus... Can't say the same for the rest of Ohio, though...

The show has come and gone. Opening night, (Feb. 2nd)was full of technical difficulties, attributed to poor stage direction and management prior to curtain. (Too long of a story to divulge...and personally, I'm trying to block it out. lol) The second night was near perfect... (So glad all of my friends and family came that night.) It truly was an experience and I came a way with some good insight into the world of stage theater. One important thing I learned... I don't like acting. I would prefer to be a director, choreographer or even a chorus dancer in a show, before I act again.

I am so pleased with my progress losing weight! I am finally starting to feel that I will look the way I want to this summer. In total I have lost about 11 lbs since the start of my rigorous regimen in December... I initially started with a goal of 15lbs...but realize I can push for more than that.

I can't wait 'til I am at the point to see MUCH difference before and after pictures.

The picture is of me and Leo after we saw Cirque Du Soleil's "Delirium" on the 18th. It was AMAZING! I am determined to see every Cirque show that comes to Columbus...

My goal is to get into a bikini for the first time this summer!

On my way...

Vacation Already...

Me in Jacksonville, 1/18/2006.

In January every year one of the Boards my father is on has their first meeting of the year...usually in New Orleans. Well, shortly after the hurricanes, they decided to move the meeting to Jacksonville, FL. So, here I am...with some down time and writing in my blog.

Really lazy days, I tell ya. We haven't done much of anything except frequent Jacksonville Landing and eat.

I've actually been using the time to relax...and enjoy the sites. I've also been keeping up with my workouts...there is a really nice Fitness Center here in the Omni Hotel. I am actually proud to say I have lost about 7 lbs since actively taking a stand to lose some weight in December.

When I return, I have 4 rehearsals until my show opens and quite of few first of the year projects at work.

I really needed this time...

Closing of another year...

So, it appears the year has ran away from me once again. But, I know that I enjoyed this year better than any other since I was 18. My boyfriend and I celebrated a year of being a couple on the 19th of November. It was wonderful. To the left is a picture of us from our company holiday party. (Yes, we work together.) We just started a year of "seconds," if you will... (Second Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthday, etc.)

I'm am very blessed and fortunate and hopeful that new year will bring many more wonderful events.

Tomorrow I turn 29. I never imagined where I would be now...but I don't think it was here. I am not one to make resolutions...but I like to set goals on things I want to accomplish. Some of those for this year are, and not limited to:

1. Losing 15 lbs and maintaining the weight. I have been one to fluctuate on the scale and consider myself fitness conscious, but I intend to focus more on nutrition.
2. Go back to school... Lord knows I've been away to long and it is time to get things done!
3. Do some more traveling... I want to return to Alaska, hopefully on a cruise.
4. I will complete my Rite of Christian Initation as [an]Adult (RCIA) training in May, when I will become a member of the Catholic community. Am looking forward to embracing my Christianity and establish a better relationship with God.

So...

I actually have some time to sit and write [type]... For as many things as I have going on in my head, it should be easy to put something down. I guess I don't know where to start. I seemed to like brainstorming when I was in school. It was so much easier just to jot stuff down without worrying about grammar, punctuation nor tenses... So just this once, let's go the list route:

• life is good...just really busy
• as noted, i'm the happiest i've been all my adult life [don't know why i was settling for "all my life"? lord knows it was so much easier being a kid.
• i'm working on a stage play with a local production company...should be intersting curtain's up in february!
• i have finally found room for spirituality in my life...i'm converting to catholicism this is a wonderful learning experience for me i actually feel more at peace with myself and things in my life
• my boyfriend is the best thing that has ever happened to me i can't wait until he graduates in January so I can have more of his attention i fear i have become selfish and long for him to be only there for me.

Me

So I guess in order to post my pic in my profile I had to post it in my blog... Interesting.
Me

Fresh Out the Gate...

I had a blog on a message board that I choose to no longer frequent. So, I thought it would be a good idea to start anew somewhere else.

I can't stress enough how wonderful my life is right now... I have no worries and am probably the happiest I've ever been.