Ramblings of a Space Nut

This the the latest paragraph that we wrote in Literary Arts class, co-written with my three classmates. I hope you enjoy it!

Literary Arts

2/19/08

Gwendolen’s Whim and Devotion

In Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest, Gwendolen displays frivolity and an overly-dramatic reaction when she responds to Ernest’s invitation to marry. Gwendolyn exhibits her frivolous outlook on marriage when she states, “I may marry once and marry often.” By this example, it is made plain that Gwendolen feels marriage is not binding, but something that can be picked up and thrown away on a whim. Later in the speech, Gwendolen says, “Nothing that she can possibly do can alter my eternal devotion to you.” It is clear here that she shows strong overdramatic tendencies in her everyday life because just after mentioning her marrying often, she claims to have eternal devotion for Ernest. From these examples Gwendolen unmistakably shows frivolous and overly-dramatic qualities in response to Ernest’s proposal to marry.

 

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I just get writers block for interesting things that have happened in my life.  I'll try to do better!

I feel like such a fool.
Yesterday Chipotle had a promo where if you dress up in tin foil you can get a free burrito.  My brothers left with heads adorned by alien repellent foil caps straight out of "Signs" to claim their food.  My sister and I laughed at them, they really did look silly.  But when they got back our minds were changed by the tasty smells coming from the bag.  So we put on our foil hats and felt very stupid.  When we got there a small scattering of people were there wearing foil to collect, or already eating their tasty burritos.  We got inline and our burritos were ready in a flash, as we walked out I commented "I felt really stupid when I walked in here, but getting a free burrito makes it not even matter."

Ah, the joy of free food, but at the cost of being a fool.  :D

w00t! Today I got my midterm back for ASL 101 and I got a 96!!  As I told my Uncle: 

Equation of an A:

    Reviewing history of ASL until brain is mush
   Cramped hands from finger spelling
   A HABIT OF WRITING EVERYTHING IN CAPITALS
+ Getting my face stuck like that  >:l
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     96% on a midterm.

Why yes I am awesome.  B-)  Ahem. On another topic, I have two papers due tomorrow for History and Physics.  I'm writing the History one now, but I'll probably write the scientist report tonight when I swipe my sis's lappy. Very sleepy today. I need to get started on learning my choir piece. Oh well, paper time.  >:l

I had a paper due today, which I had a week to write.  As per normal I didn't write it until last night, actually that's better than normal, I general write them the morning of.  Anyhow, I stayed up last night until about 12:30 writing it (I know you college kids think that's a breeze) and then I just youtube'd and read fanfiction until 1:30.  So I go upstairs to sleep and what do I do instead?  Lay in bed playing solitaire on my iPod.  I am so addicted to that game it's not even funny.  I think I went to sleep at 2.

Of course today I kept yawning all through class.  I felt so rude.

Mmmmm, not much else.  I gotta call the Simeo's and check out what the deal is for hanging out on Sunday.  That and finish some math.  Blah.
I would try to write some Stargate, but I can't seem to do it on the school computer, I'm way more creative on my sister's Lappy.

Here's the paper if you want to read it:

Why I Would Join the Colonists 

I would join the colonists because I think it would be better to stand on our own than to rely on England for everything we need.  I believe we are self sufficient enough to govern ourselves and survive here without the help of the king.  England is too far away to protect us well from new threats we should encounter, so we must be able to defend ourselves.

When I came over on the ship from England it was very hard, but I survived and was able to pay my way with what little money I had so that I was able to escape servitude for many years.  Some of my other friends were not so lucky, perhaps when we separate from England this will be able to change.  The life of such a servant is a terrible one, they are barely kept fit enough to even do their work.

The taxes here are much too high.  We must be making a profit here if we are to grow as colonies or a country, but the king does not understand this and takes what we have worked so hard for.  England has managed to keep itself preserved until now, so I do not understand why they need so much from us. 

Life is much different here than in England.  We must forge our way in this great wilderness, while under threat of bandits and Indians.  Our way of living is very different from England, and we need different laws here because of our different lifestyles.  What is good for a small island is not necessarily good for a large country.

There will be much fighting, and I am afraid that many Americans will not live to see the birth of their new nation, the cost of freedom is very high, but it is precious enough that is worth the price.  I only hope that the nation that will be formed with this new freedom will live up to the courage and fortitude of its forefathers.

K thanxs bye!!!

Nicked this from another person on LJ...

The rules, for bloggers who want to play:

Get your ipod or media-player of choice, select your whole music collection, set the thing to shuffle (i.e., randomized playback), then post the first ten songs that come out. No cheating, no matter how stupid it makes you feel!

1. I Was Only(Seventeen) - The Beu Sisters
2. Blessed Saint Theresa - Simonetta
3. Congaudeant catholici - Theatre of Voices
4. Waiting All My Life - Rascal Flatts
5. Geistliches Wiegenlied - Johannes Brahms (composer, don't know the artist.)
6. Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely - Backstreet Boys
7. Tell You I Love You - M2M
8. Lothlorien - Lord of the Rings
9. Into the Fire - Thirteen Senses
10. Chemicals Reacts - Aly & AJ

You know it's been a long time since you've posted on LJ when you don't remember your username... Well, I have a different username for almost everything, so hey, cut me a break. Maybe just a small one though. :P

School has started! *false cheer* Yay!
Mmm subjects:
Math - Math is killing me. Sure radicals are fun, but graphing, complex variable fractions and when I can or can't cancel stuff out on those fraction is Grrrrr!
Physics - Physics is just easy. We get to play with straws and balloons. :P
Philosophy - I like philosophy, but the classes are sporatic. :l
Religion - It's religion, self explanatory.
Vocabulary - Definitely the easiest class! WORDS!
American History - Talking about it in class is ok, but I can't stand writing papers!!!! I had enjoyed the Last of the Mohicans when we finished it, but my mom made me rewrite the paper so many times it killed it. Take a stick and poke it dead. Now we're reading the Journals of Lewis and Clark which is very boring! Mostly describing the countryside and how many animals and what kinds they killed that day.
Government - Again with the papers!
Writing class - I'm taking this class from a friend of mine's mom, so I get a chance of pace in teachers. So far in 4 weeks I have written 1 sentence. :) A bit odd for a writing class, but by the end of the school year she wants us to have something written that we can get published. (Analytical writing not creative)
Consumer math - See formula, insert numbers, answer! Very easy most of the time. I finished Mathematics of Savings, so now I'm onto Buying. Does this mean I get to go to the Mall?
American Sign Language(ASL) - This I'm taking at Harper, it's great! Elke Weinbrenner is the instructor and she is so much fun! I've met Bob Paul, one of the other ASL teachers, and he seems like he would be fun to take a class with too. But I haven't met Jean the last instructor. I just finished midterms. >.< Hopefully I did well.

I finally have something that I wrote on Fanfiction.net! Unfortunately I didn't write the story, I just wrote a Rodney McKay cameo for my friends story. She seemed suitable impressed by my writing skills so maybe I will get a Rodney-centric story posted. Of course she loathes all things Stargate with a passion, so maybe her praise isn't all that significant. If she hates Stargate why did she put it in her story? It's very complicated, but basically I hounded her until she went insane. ^_^

For your own amusement: I hit the spell check button and it told me to replace 'Yay' with 'yam'.  >.< Awesome.

"You don't know what you've got until it's gone."
It's like that a lot, but not always.  What about the times that you do know what you have, and you understand and appreciate it, but you know that someday it won't be there anymore, and you just have to hope that someday isn't today.

My Grandpa died when I was eight, I didn't really understand, I mean I understood that I wasn't ever going to see him again and that he was dead, but I didn't understand until a few years ago how much I really lost.  I lost someone that loved me a lot, I can still remember him reading me stories on his lap, I lost someone who would have sat and talked to me when I was older and shared stories about his life and talk about what was going on in my life. I lost someone I could tell all the stories of my life, and who would tell me how proud he was of me.  Maybe this sounds selfish, and maybe it is, but those are all the things that I lost that day, that I never understood as a child. 

A very good Teacher friend of ours died two and a half years ago, and I didn't know him very well.  I had just started taking his classes two years before.  He was a close family friend that we used to see when we were very small, but hadn't for sometime.  But after he died I felt very sad.  Because I was just starting to know him, to learn from him again.  I learned a lot from him, but I didn't want to learn a lot, I wanted to learn More!  I wanted a time to just go and sit down with him and learn things, talk and share and discuss all the things I wanted to know about.  The book was in front of me, but I never reached out to read from it until it was stolen from the shelf.  Actually, it was a fluke I spent two years in his classroom, I would have only spent one, except for certain circumstances.  So I guess I'm very lucky.

Today my Aunt died.  A teacher and a friend.  We did talk, unlike with Mr. Polk, and I did get to know her, unlike my Grandpa.  I talked with her for hours on the phone about my life and problems with it, and questions I had about school and faith, and she would listen carefully and then tell me what I needed.  All I can think about right now is how I just wanted her to be proud of me, I wanted her to hear me sing which she never has, I wanted her to be hear when I came home from Rome, so I could tell her about it.  I want to see her again this Christmas so I can giver her a hug and say 'I love you'.  But I can't, I'll never see her face light up when she hears my choir for the first time, or get to see her laugh when I tell her stories about Rome, and I'll never get to hug her again. 

"The basic meaning of a word is found in its etymology, which includes its original meaning, its history, and its development.  Through etymology we are able to uncover the ideas that the pioneers of scientific philosophers were expressing in their works.

Agent
Etymological: From the Latin agere: 'to do,' 'to move,' 'to act, 'to affect.'  An agent is that which acts on, moves or causes a change in something else.  A potter is an agent in the making of a cup.
Modern:  One who acts as someone's representative; one who has power or authority; a chemical agent; an instrument of some kind.

Patient
Etymological:  From the Latin passio, from the Latin pati, from the Greek pathos: 'to undergo,' 'to suffer,' 'to endure.'  A patient is that which is moved or changed by an agent.  When the potter shapes the clay, the clay is the patient affected by the potter's agency.
Modern:  One who undergoes medical treatment."   Excerpt from - "Introduction to Scientific Philosophy, Book 3: Philosophical Psychology"

Mr. Polk always said that every one of us was an Agent, and that we must always seek the true natures of things.  So that when we go about our work (Agency) we can teach our patients the true natures also.  To two of the best Agents of God that I have ever met: Thank you so much for teaching me.  Because of  you, and your help to my family, I will never be a tyrant.  God bless you!

Memorare, O piisima Virgo Maria,...

Mc

Well, yesterday we managed to rip up all of the carpet on the first floor and were going to cover that space and the tile space in pergo, only to discover that the tile parts were higher than the carpet after it had been ripped out, so we had to either put in wood over the ripped-up carpet space or tear up the tile and wood to level it with the carpet space.  We went for ripping.  Or should I say Dad and Brendan went for ripping. :P I swept and vacuumed.  Today Dad finished the dining room and part of the living room, it's actually going very quickly now. :)

Unfortunately this means no piano practice for "The Emperor's Fanfare".  Dreads Monday and the coming of choir(/organ) camp.

Hoorah!  Last Sunday was the Rome meeting where we got the official itinerary!

For your informational pleasure:

April 8 – 17, 2008

Holy Innocent Youth Choir

To join a 10-day Choir Pilgrimage

"HEART OF ITALY" 
 

Dear Friends, 

With great joy, the Holy Innocents Choir will be embarking on a pilgrimage to Italy, April 8 – 17, 2008 

This opportunity will truly enrich the faith of those who will participate, choir members, chaperone, and tag-alongs.  Under the direction of Father Frank Phillips, C.R., over 2,000 years of Church history will unfold as we walk in the footsteps of the heroic champion of our faith, from those of the early Christian martyrs, to those of our present Holy Father.  We will gain new and wonderful insights into the liturgical history when we how the Eucharistic Sacrifice was celebrated in the early churches and though the ages. 

Daily, we will attend Mass surrounded and edified by some of the greatest works of art men have ever produced for the greatest honor and glory of God.  Not only will this pilgrimage provide a great opportunity to experience the splendor of Rome and Assisi, more importantly it will inspire us to a deeper and more fervent devotion. 

Please join us as we retrace the steps of Peter and Paul, the ancient Romans, the Popes of history, and the throngs of others who have come to see and pray in the Eternal City. 

Sincerely, 

Br. Chad McCoy, Director

Fr. Frank Phillips, Chaplain and Tour Guide 

 

 

 

 

Itinerary 

*Day 1, April 8, Tuesday: Depart USA*

Depart Chicago O'Hare International Airport on your overseas journey when the Air France intercontinental jet lifts into the evening sky on your overnight flight to Rome via Paris.  Complimentary meals and beverages will be serves aloft.                              (D, B) 

*Day 2, April 9, Wednesday: Arrive Rome 
Upon arrival at Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, go through Passport Control, claim your luggage, and a Passages representative will meet you upon your exit from Customs.  Individuals will then transfer your luggage to your buss and soon you will be on you way to the "Eternal City".  
Check-in at Hotel Pinewood.  Freshen-up. 
This afternoon a round-trip transfer will be provided to the Church of St. Philip Neri (Chiesa Nuova) for Mass. 
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Pinewood (romehotelpinewood.com) in Rome         (D) 
 
 *Day 3, April 10, Thursday: Tour of Vatican* Museums: Sistine Chapel: St. Peter's Basilica* 
After an early breakfast, celebrate Mass at the Tomb of St. Peter's. 
After Mass, continue to visit to the Vatican Museums.  Walk in the footsteps of the Princes of the Church through the richly decorated galleries.  Visit the famous Pinacoteca (Picture Gallery), which houses religious works by Giotto, Raphael, Da Vinci, Caravaggio and Rodin, among others. Continue on to the Sistine Chapel, the private chapel of the Popes, where Michelangelo best expressed his genius in monumental frescoes.  End your morning tour in St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's magnificent "Pieta" and to take in the awesome churches.  Box lunch will be provided.  
Return bus transfer to your hotel will be provided. 
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Pinewood in Rome.                                      (B,L,D) 
 
 *Day 4, April 11, Friday: AM/Tour of Ancient Rome - PM/Tour of Imperial          Rome* 
After breakfast begin our day with a visit to the Church of St. Peter in Chains to see the originals chains in which St. Peter was brought captive to Rome and the statue of Moses, one of Michelangelo's greatest masterpieces.  Then, we continue to the ancient Roman Forum.  Then, see the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Constantine and proceed to the outside of the Coliseum for a fascinating explanation of its history.  Continue on to the grandiose white marble monument of King Victor Emmanuel II, often called the "Wedding Cake."  See the Trajan Column and the Market (the ancient Roman equivalent of a department store).  
Box lunch will be provided. 
This afternoon, continue to visit the Spanish steps.  Continue on to the Pantheon, a temple built between 118 and 125 AD by Hadrian over a former temple site of 27 BC.  The "eye of God", a 30-foot opening in the roof, is the only light source in this structure housing the tomb of artist Raphael.  Nearby is the beautiful and lively Piazza Navona, with time to browse through the artists stalls to buy a painting or just look, and a chance to buy one of Rome's most famous products, a "tartufo" (ice cream) at the Gelateria "Tre Scalini".  
Celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Louis (San Luigi dei Francesi) 
End our day with a visit the Trevi Fountain to toss in a coin to insure your "Arrivederci Roma." 
Return bus transfer to your hotel will be provided.  
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Pinewood in Rome.                                          (B,L,D) 
 
*Day 5, April 12, Saturday: Full day at leisure* 
Breakfast at your hotel. 
Morning transfer to Santa Anastasia for Mass. 
Full day at leisure in Rome.  Box lunch will be provided.  
Return bus transfer to your hotel will be provided. 
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Pinewood in Rome.                                           (B,L,D) 
 
*Day 6, April 13, Sunday: AM/St. Peter's Basilica - PM/Sing for the evening Mass at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter's* 
Breakfast at your hotel.  This morning, you will be transferred to St.  Peter's Basilica to attend the 10:30am Latin Mass. 
After Mass, attend the noon Papal Blessing in St. Peter's Square.  Then, free time for lunch on your own and the afternoon at leisure for browsing, shopping or exploring the sights of Rome.  Hearty pilgrims may want to attempt to climb the 330 stairs (or take the elevator) to the top of St. Peter's for an unparalleled view of Vatican City and Rome.  
Box lunch will be provided. 
This afternoon, walk to the Basilica of St. Peter's in time for the 50:30pm, Latin Mass as sung by the Holy Innocent Youth Choir. 
Return bus transfer to your hotel will be provided.  
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Pinewood in Rome.                                   (B,L,D) 
 
*Day 7, April 14, Monday: Full-day excursion to Assisi - Visit the Sites of St.       Francis* 
After breakfast, board your comfortable motorcoach for an excursion to Assisi, one of the high points of any travel experience.  After a two-hour ride, you will see Assisi on a mountaintop.  The narrow lanes, the Shrines of Saint Francis and the overwhelming art dedicated to this young friar - a rich young man who turned to God after an illness and established an order that has grown stronger of the centuries.  Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, a great Basilica built in 1569 and crowned by the magnificent dome designed by Alessi.  It encloses the shrine of the "Porziuncula", or the Little Portion Chapel, around which the first Franciscan community was centered, the place where Clare received the habit from Francis, and the Capella Del Transito, which marks the spot where the saint died.  You will see the statue of Saint Francis in the courtyard where the thornless roses bloom.  Continuing, we visit the Basilica of St. Clare, the first and most important heroine of the Franciscan movement, view her remains and see the miraculous Crucifix.  
Box lunch will be provided.  Independent time for some shopping. 
This afternoon, celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Saint Francis, at which the Holy Innocent Youth Choir will sing for Mass. 
Then, we visit the Basilica of St. Francis where the body of the Saint is buried.  Here, you will marvel at the world-famous Giotto Frescoes depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis.  
Return in your comfortable motorcoach for dinner and overnight at Hotel Pinewood in Rome. 

*Day 8, April 15, Tuesday: Tour of Christian Rome*

After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the magnificent Basilica of Sr. Paul.  It was built by Constantine in the 4^th century on the site of St, Paul's tomb.  After having been totally destroyed by fire in 1823, it was rebuilt on the original basilican plan of early Christian churches. Surrounding the nave are the medallions of each Pope, from Peter to Benedict XVI.  Continue your tour to the Cathedral of St. John Lateran, the first Christian church to be consecrated.  It was founded by the Empere Constantine in the 4^th century and was home to the Popes for many years prior to the present Vatican residence.  From the fourth through the early fourteenth century, it was the home and residence of all the popes.  From there continue on your way to the Holy Stairs.  These are said to be the steps on which Christ walked on His way to Pilate's palace.  You can go up on your knees as thousands of pilgrims have done in reverence, recalling the sufferings of Christ.  Then visit the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, which houses fragments of the true cross brought to Rome by St. Helena, mother of Constantine.  Box lunch will be provided.

This afternoon, we visit the Church of St. Clements, where Sts. Cyril and Methodius brought the bones of St. Clement, and where St. Cyril is buried.  Then, we continue to visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the four major Basilicas built by Pope Sixtus III (AD 432-440).  View the impressive interior with its remarkable mosaics in the nave depicting scenes from the Old Testament.  The mosaics above the entablature are among the most ancient Christian mosaics in Rome.  Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.  We end our day at St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, dedicated to the deacon and martyr who was burned to death on a grill during the persecution of Valerian.  The present basilica is formed by two churches, each next to the other, but facing in opposite directions.  The older was built by Constantine on the site of the oratory to the martyr, who had been buried there.  It was later rebuilt and joined with the newer church to form the basilica.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Pinewood in Rome.                                           (B,L,D) 

*Day 9, April 16, Wednesday: AM/Papal Audience – PM/At Leisure*

After breakfast, you will be transported into the heart of Christendom for an audience with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.  The Holy Innocent Youth Choir will sing a selection for him when announced during the English language portion.  This will be an experience that you will never forget!

Celebrate Mass at Santa Matia in Traspontina or at Santo Spirito in Sasso.

Box lunch will be provided.

Afternoon at leisure.  Return bus transfer to your hotel will be provided.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Pinewood in Rome.                                          (B,L,D) 

*Day 10, April 17, Thursday: Return to the USA*

After early breakfast, you will be transferred to Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport for your return flight to the U.S.A.                                                                           (B,L) 

 

"That's all there is, there is no more." Dr. Suess

I was reading my friends missions update website and I was really touched at how some of the people they are talking to are affected by their outreach. Way to go Ash and VCB!!!


~Mc