service with a smile!

I absolutely love "doing." - when my schedule is completely packed as pathetically tight as it can be is when I am secretly happiest. I have always enjoyed the weeks and months where my free time is scarce because that is when I am most thankful for my down time.

This quirky habit of filling my schedule makes me feel useful. Not that I don't feel useful, but going out of my usual routine of school and work to do even more than I can handle helps me to develop a mindset that time is not mine.

I have written before about my great appreciation of 'me' time. Well, like many people, I derive from the concept of believing that I am in control of my time which inevitably means I control all my time and decide when I will give it away or keep it to myself. 

This of course, is not true.

Every single bit of our time was given to us by God. Therefore, every bit of our time should be given right back to Him. So why do I fill my schedule? Because the most accomplished feeling is when I'm completely drained when I lay down at night.

By no means am I some precious little work fairy. I will do dirty work, but anyone who knows me can tell you I thoroughly enjoy complaining my butt off about it. Lover of sappy sympathy right here! But I'm working on that, I promise!

My favorite saints are those who didn't do things that were considered 'great' in their own time. I am humbled by the saints who lived their whole lives constantly "doing" - but doing things full of joy that they were giving all their time back to the One who gave it to them.

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati gave away all his time and energy even when he was sick and dying. St. Theresa offered every little act as a prayer to God. This is the kind of person I desire to become. No, I'm not living my life in hopes that you'll buy my holy card someday. I just want to be a good example for all those around me.

I'm still working on myself (duh). My trouble is when people say "how are you?" All I want to do is shout "I'M FREAKING EXHAUSTED!" but I can't, because I'm not. If I was exhausted I would not be able to do the work I am constantly striving to do. The day I'm whipped, stripped, and hung on a cross is the day I can say I'm freaking exhausted ;) Until then, I'm just giving my gift of time back to God.

A day of thanks

I am thankful.

I am thankful for my friends. Not just because everyone always says they are thankful for their friends, but because for some reason God decided to bless me with the best of the best. They have been there for me through everything. They always know the right thing to say, but they also know when it is best to not say anything at all. I cannot express how secure I feel knowing that whenever something goes awry, all I have to do is pick up the phone and I'll be reassured everything is going to be alright. 

Lauren, David, Joy-Marie: I'm thankful for you and I love you more than I can express. 

(even if you don't read my blog heehee)

I'm thankful for my youth group at St. Catherine. They have pleasantly surprised me with how incredible they all are. My one worry when we organized the youth group was that no one was going to show up. Well, they certainly proved me wrong. They hold me responsible in how I act and what I say. Even though God is working through me to bring them closer to Him, they have brought me so much closer to Him as well.

I am thankful for priests and religious. Their lives are such a powerful witness of love for Christ. I am utterly in awe of anyone who seriously discerns a religious vocation simply because they are willing to answer such a beautiful calling to give up their lives for God.

I am thankful for those everyday things I take for granted - my health, my body, my senses, being able to open the closet and know I will have something to wear, always having food to eat, access to a car, a good education, a home, my own bed, a reliable cellphone, the ability to walk, being about to sing well, each and every heartbeat...

I am thankful for my family. Even though on a daily basis my siblings drive me absolutely insane, they are still incredibly wonderful. I have always said family brings out one's true self - and I'm reminded of that every time I snap at one of them. But beneath the bickering and shouting, we always manage to show our true love for one another. I have been blessed so abundantly with such a beautiful family. My parents are loving, kind, selfless, forgiving and everything else I want to replicate if I'm called to be a parent someday.

I am thankful for my Faith. Without God, I would be nothing. Without my beliefs, I would be going no where in life. Without my Church, I would have no support system. I would not be the strong, confident, Catholic, young woman I am today without the Faith I have been brought up believing and eventually made my own.

I am so incredibly blessed. For this, I am thankful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

sunday minus internet

The title of this post stole my introduction.

On Sunday I was completely stranded. I had pulled the lazy college student "I'll just do my homework on Sunday and spend the rest of the weekend having fun."

That would've worked except for the fact that on Sunday the internet was down...

...and all my homework was online. 

My logical solution: take on an art project!

Whenever I get frustrated, I tend to either run, play piano, bake, or do something artistic. 

So if you ever see me doing any of the above, I'd suggest you step away ;)

I think having some sort of therapeutic hobby can save anyone from blowing a gasket....so here's the result of MaryC being frustrated over the fact that none of her homework was turned in on time. Enjoy!

This was actually pretty simple (but time-absorbing). I peeled around 50 crayons, hot-glued them to a foam board, then melted them with a hair-dryer and two kitchen lighters. Took me all afternoon, but the end result came out just right.

Days without access to the wonderful world wide web are good for me. Way too much of my time is sucked away by mindless internet goofing off. So whenever I have a day like this, I'm always reminded that life can go along just dandy without the internet constantly having to be available to me. (well...aside from needing to do homework, but we'll ignore that part)

Point of this story? MaryC did not explode with frustration thanks to her love of crayons and pyromanic behavior :)

busy busy busy...

Oh well hello there. Its been a while since we've spoken, hasn't it? I take full blame and sincerely apologize for that. As much as I'd like to tell you I've been off busily doing incredible things, I'll admit to the fact that I've just felt like I've had nothing to post about.

Over the summer I mentioned to someone that I'm going into my sophomore year of college. She told me that if I could survive this year, I'll survive college. Well, I laughed to myself thinking about how I had breezed through my freshman year...

turns out she was right.

The excitement of "being in college" from freshman year is gone. The encouragement of "woohoo! I'm halfway there!" isn't going to appear until next summer. So its a rut that I think the majority of sophomores tend to fall into. But as many little miniature mental breakdowns as my sophomore year has caused, I've managed to keep busy enough to inspire myself to 'keep on truckin' along.'

God's been taking care of me lately. By "taking care of me", you could also say "challenging" me. Aside from helping with Young Adult Group and organizing the St. Lawrence Girls Retreat, He decided that its about time I step into my future ministry.

On October 5th, after weeks of prayers and planning, St. Catherine Church launched her very own youth ministry program...with MaryC. as the youth minister :) 

Everything fell into place so smoothly. The teenagers really enjoyed themselves. I'm so looking forward to what God has in His plan for our new group!

So as ordinary as I claim my life has been, God has been doing extraordinary things. But I'm thankful for the ordinary. If there was no ordinary, we wouldn't appreciate the extraordinary. This is why as crazy and crammed as this sophomore year of mine has been thus far, I'm absolutely loving life. 

did I really just say that?

In a crazy family, its pretty much a given that you're going to say some crazy things. So for your entertainment, I've been compiling a list of my favorite "wow, I actually had to say that" quotes over the last few weeks...enjoy!

“could you please refrain from screaming at your siblings while you’re holding the baby?”

“please stop stealing my salad.”

“don’t worry sweetie, someday you’ll grow up and have friends who you go hang out with.”

“no you’re not allowed to stick those balls in my pants”

“take that roach out of your mouth!”

“I don’t care that no one’s in here, you have to have clothes on when you’re on your computer”

“darling...you’re not allowed to wear my underwear....”

“please stop trying to eat ants. they don’t taste good. believe me, I know.”

“I know its a hard reality, but you can’t eat all of the popsicles.”

“Um...where’d your clothes go?”

“no, I did not eat popcorn or clip my toenails in your bed”

“honey, just because you’re mad at her doesn’t mean you can draw pictures of her dying”

“if you don’t shut up I’ll throw a bra at you”

“can anyone explain why there’s tortilla chip crumbs on my bathroom floor?”

So there you have it...and I'm sure you have so many questions but I think I'll keep the stories behind these quiet and let you use your imagination ;) 

as out of control as we are, I certainly truly love my family.

those indoor days

It has been raining for 3 days straight. Thank you tropical storm Lee...

So because of labor day, #2 has been looking forward to enjoying a nice relaxing 3 day weekend. But I didn't expect relaxing to consist of sitting indoors listening to the waterfall outside and counting the tree limbs in the yard.

When I'm spoiled with long weekends, I tend to actually take advantage of having a whole saturday/sunday to enjoy myself then take the monday to get homework and such finished...well, due to the weather, my homework has been done and my room has been clean since saturday.

The downpour outside hasn't been all bad. I've been home 99% of this weekend which has made up for time away at school since the semester started. So spending time with my fantastic family is always a win at the end of the day. 

ps. I know the pics have nothing to do with this post. I'm just looking forward to the 11th!

schoooooool's in for the school year

Here we go once again. 

Back to classes, homework, confusing assignments, and sweating off 10lbs from changing buildings because southern Alabama weather shows no mercy. 

I'm terrible about school. I'm a last minute kinda person which bites me pretty often but somehow I manage to get everything done eventually. This summer was a fantastic break from the craziness of having to commute an hour to get to my 8am class on time, but I'm glad to have some sort of structured schedule back in my life.

Thankfully this first week hasn't been too much a cold splash back into the reality that my little town I now call home is a bubble of nice people. Readjusting to rude drivers, sarcastic classmates, and teachers obsessed with using "damn" to describe everything is going to be a challenge, but I'm ready (I think).

All the siblings are back to school as well. The house is full of lesson videos playing and a constant chorus of "Mooooom! I need help!" I've kinda sorta missed it...I just wish she could also help me deal with all this online class stupidity. (Don't even get me started with how pathetic that concept is when you're actually at the school taking classes)

As crazy as it is going to be, I'm excited about this year so far. I'm praying for another semester of safe traveling, fun classes, and maybe this year I'll get lucky enough to find a few morally sane friends on campus ;)

So even though teachers are crazy, classmates may stalk you, textbooks are a freaking rip off, and every semester you get stuck with a "why on earth do I have to take this?!" class, college is fun. I'm trying the best I can to keep it that way without any regrets. 

So far so good.

Sophomore year...here we go :)

its a love/hate thing 2.0

A couple months ago, I posted a blog about certain things I love and things I despise (its a love/hate kinda thing) well I promised that I would every so often post the same kind of style. So here we are...enjoy!

Things I hate...

#1 - people talking during movies

okay I'm reasonable. If you turn to make a little quiet comment to your date that's perfectly alright. I'm talking about those people who have decided to provide their personal commentary throughout the entire film to the rows of movie-goers surrounding them. Honestly, I don't care the least bit what you think of the movie. Go out afterwards and talk about it. I paid through the nose to get into that place so for the sake of not provoking me to find a way to kill you with popcorn, please stay off your phone and keep your mouth closed (that sounds a little more sinister than I wanted it to...but you get the point. heehee) I will say, I don't at all mind when I'm watching a movie in a non-theatre setting and someone has a little comment - I'm quite guilty of that practice. but to those of you who simply cannot resist from blurting your view every five minutes...it would be best for your health if we did not watch a movie together :P

#2 - fish

this picture makes me gag. I cannot stand fish. The sight/smell/taste makes me queasy. I'm in no way a picky eater, but for some reason my stomach simply cannot take the idea of fish. About a week ago, my sisters went down to the pier and brought home a bucket of them - I just about died from the scent. Now I'm not condemning those of you who like fish. I honestly wish I liked it. Any other kind of seafood is absolutely delicious to me, but fish...no thank you. 

#3 - anti-blinkers 

You know who you are. 

Some of you might want to sit down for this fantastic news: there's this magical light on either side of your vehicle that by the flick of wrist will illuminate to allow those vehicles surrounding you to receive a warning that you are planning on changing the direction you are going. WHOA. mind blown. 

It's not that hard to do. I've heard the argument that you don't need to use your blinkers because you already know where you're going. That's all fine and dandy but -news flash- its not all about you, dear ;) I'm not a tailgater by any means, but when you slam on your brakes and swerve into McDonalds, or blow your horn at me because I didn't realize you were planning on cutting in front of me on the highway, I can get a little upset. So if you enjoy the luxury of retaining a bumper, please please please use those blinkers.

and now for my lighter, less whiny side

Things I love...

#1 - being serenaded

To that special guy - I don't sit around painting my nails while dreaming about a handsome prince charming. I don't like mushy "butterflies and rainbows" style displays of affection (I might just throw up). Don't come up with stupid gooey nicknames for me or call me constantly just so you can hear my voice. I'm simple: tell me I'm beautiful and that you love me...then sing for me. Aside from queso and chips, there's no quicker way to my heart. I love goofy guitar gibberish and sappy piano sonatas. Sing cheesy 80's love songs or blurt out musical ballads. Whatever you choose to musically romanticize me with, I will love you forever.

#2 - Tevas 

some of the ugliest shoes you will ever see...but also some of the most comfortable and compatible. My Tevas are my 'all the time' shoes. I wear them every day to work, when I bike, when I kayak, when I hike, and when I'm at school. I've been told they look stupid. I've been told they look comfortable. I agree with both. They have left quite the impression on me (literally). My 'Teva tan' is my pride and joy. As goofy and unflattering as these sandals may seem, they are God's gift to my feet.

#3 - biking

I've found a new love in life...his name is Bikey. Living in a bike-friendly town is heavenly. I was a nanny all summer and on top of biking to and from work, I literally took the kids out on rides every single day. I cannot wait to get into a normal bike routine. Hopefully it'll be a healthy hobby I keep up with for a long time. 

So that's that. A little sneak peek into the vast personality withheld in this head of mine. Hopefully you feel your time spent reading about my pet peeves and personal favorites has been well spent :)

-#2

so long sweet summertime

I have a confession to make...I'm selfish. 

If you did not know this by now, you probably don't know me very well ;)

I had full intentions all last week to spend Saturday pampering myself (because going to Orlando and treating myself to friends, fun, and Disney World is soooo not self-indulgence). I planned on getting my nails done, shopping a bit, and watching a sappy chick-flick. All of this would be made possible because my family would be two hours away on a parish family pool trip - oh yes. I was looking forward to Saturday. 

Well much to my dismay, on Friday evening Miss Lady asked me to be the chauffeur for Saturday's pool trip. 

I. did. not. want. to. go. 

I had already planned my entire day! The last thing I wanted to do was spend my pamper day chasing little siblings around a public pool while sporting my freshman fifteen in a swimsuit. Oh yeah - that's every college kid's dream weekend. 

And now for my favorite part...the part where I take a deep breath and suck it up. When I finally chill out, remember the giant yellow sticker on the back of my car that reads "it's not about me", and then my mind is determined to have a fantastic time.

The entire family had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect, food was delicious, and the pool was gorgeous. By noon, I had forgotten about my selfish day plans and was more than happy splashing around with Peter, then taking a little nap holding a sleeping Andrew.

I may be selfish sometimes, but the days that I choose my family over myself always reveal themselves to be infinitely better then the ones I plan for myself.

its been a while

please excuse my absence. I've been adventuring through life with absolutely no time to sit down long enough to update you. So I apologize to all my faithful followers...

After going to see the midnight premiere of the final Harry Potter, I left early in the morning to chaperone our annual youth group retreat. The retreat was truly beautiful and I was blessed to be able to witness so many young people's hearts being change by God. 

After a weekend conference in Atlanta, we packed up the bus and drove on to the Ocoee River in TN to take some time to process how God revealed Himself over the weekend (and go white-water rafting, of course)

About thirty minutes after getting home, I was in the car on my way to visit one of my dearest friends in Orlando...apparently I subconsciously enjoy being overtly busy. 

Disney World was, of course, incredible. I can now say I'm the only Sylvester child who has been. As fun of a fact as that is, I do indeed feel rather selfish and guilty for going without them. Each time I saw a character in a parade or went on a ride, I was thinking in the back of my mind about which sibling would  have also enjoyed that specific venture.

So after a week and a half of being absent from my household on my grand escapade, I was welcomed home with a shower of little hugs and kisses. As exciting as living on a hotel floor, a cabin in the woods, and a little apartment was, coming home to my crazy, loud family reminded me where I truly belong :)