I Survived!

Finally, my crazy week is over. It sounds really crazy, but on Monday I wasn't so sure I would make it through without having a total breakdown. I kept it together though. That makes me really happy. There was stress, don't get me wrong, but nothing out of control. Plus, I got everything finished and turned it. That's a really good feeling.

I have officially named my kitty Mia. She has become such a wonderful blessing in my life. I really enjoy having someone to take care of other than myself. Is it weird that worrying about her kind of takes away some of the stress from other things in my life? Whatever, I'm weird, so that wouldn't surprise me. She's real cute though. You should meet her. She's pretty amazing.

I'm on the home stretch. This semester is SO CLOSE to being over. I can smell the sweet scent of summer. Right at my fingertips.

Things Standing Between Deux and Summer:

1. Chemistry test

2. Sociology final

3. English paper

4. French final

5. Chemistry final

The list is getting shorter and shorter by the day. It makes me extremely happy.

Love, Deux

I'm in Love.

Nope, not with the boy (who is Pinocchio, by the way), but if you look closely, you can see the tiny kitten he is feeding.

Yes, I am in love with a kitten.

If you met him, you would be too.

He has turned even the worst cat hater into an ooey-gooey, smiling goon. I ain't even exaggerating.

Here's the story: So The Mexican text messages me on Saturday night asking if I'm awake. I am practically nocturnal, so I quickly answer that indeed I was awake. She goes on to ask me to come outside of my apartment because she has found a kitten. In my mind, I'm thinking; "oh snap...ANOTHER kitten that we're going to get all attached to have to just give away." I go outside to find The Mexican standing near what is the saddest, most pathetic scene I've ever witnessed in my 20 years of life. I see a tiny (the teensy weensy kind) black and white kitten screaming and crying while trying to walk on his wobbly legs. I look at The Mexican with the widest, goo goo eyes and proceed to scoop the kitty up in my hands (after checking to see if the mother was anywhere nearby, of course). We take the kitty back to The Mexican's apartment and proceed to take action. The kitty was obviously starving. The protruding ribs hinted at that. We, then, decide to hit up the nearest Super Walmart to get some supplies. We came back to my abode and proceeded to feed the little one. Needless to say, as the night wore on, I quickly fell head over heels with the little guy. So now I have a kitty. I'm not allowed to have a pet in the apartment I have right now, so my wonderful friends (let's call them Angel and Bass) are taking care of him for me until I move out :)

I am so joyful!

xoxoDeux

Dear World,

I may die today. Cause of death: Lewis structures.

I mean, what the heck is this useful for? Nothing (as far as I am concerned.) And it just can't be simple. There have to be all of these stupid rules and exceptions. Can't I just be like: "Okay here is Element X and Element X has X amount of valence electrons" and just be done with it? Is that too much to ask. I feel like that is plenty enough for a Psychology major to know about chemistry. Booooo.

If I pass this class it will be a miracle.

Miracles happen right?

How long until summer?

xoxodeux

Dear Men in My Life,

I feel I have a little something on my heart to tell you about. Before you hate me or jump to conclusions, just hear me out. I love you. Each and every one of you. Not in the “I love boys” way (even though I totally do) but in the way that I just admire you and sit in awe of your amazing strength. I feel this way about all men, young and old. The thing is that with this intense love I have for your kind, you hold a very high standard in my eyes.

I’ve seen a lot of hurt in my sisters recently. Nothing too major, but things that could have been avoided, very simply, by not saying certain things. This has happened in many different situations I’ve been around: in friends, couples, and even families. I’m not saying that this was totally the fault of the man in every situation by any means. I’m only saying that women are vulnerable. Even though we try to show you tough exteriors, we have very soft hearts. You may think we never cry over you…we do, we just don’t let you see our tears. These kinds of hurts give us fear of showing you our vulnerability. That is so not how this is supposed to be. Why should we try to cover up our hurt and build up walls? Believe me, I know, those walls are so easy to build but so difficult to tear down. It can take years. Lifetimes, even.

My challenge to you is just to be a real man. If you read a little back in my blog (circa November), I wrote about being called on to my femininity just by the example of true men. A true man doesn’t say spiteful things. These things that you have said to my sisters and I are not you. No, you’re better than that because our Heavenly Father made you. He made you GOOD. These things are a direct attack on us by the devil. I challenge you to use Christ as your shield. I know what you are capable of, because I see it in you every single day.

I need you men so bad. The only reason I am writing this to you is because it is what I have experienced and have heard about from my sisters. I know we hurt you. When we do, tell us. Please. We want to protect your hearts too. I promise. Without your amazing example, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. You are amazing. I love you.

xoxoMe

Thankful

Lately, I've been feeling really thankful for different things and people. I get into these weird out-of-the-blue moods where I just feel so wonderfully blessed. Isn't that the worst thing in the world? (winkwink) I've decided to make a little list (since you know how I love lists) of the things I feel very thankful for right this very second.

1. My parents. I just got home from a wonderful visit to my parents' neck of the woods yesterday. I wasn't able to stay long because of the gargantuan pile of schoolwork waiting for me back at school. I stayed for only two wonderful days. I was just reminded of how blessed I am to have such wonderful parents. My Dad is very sweet and always reminds me that I'm beautiful even when I have no makeup on. I make a point to leave my makeup at my apartment whenever I go for a visit for this reason. My Mom is really silly and awkward, but she is one of the most loving people I've ever met. Plus she's drop dead gorgeous. It's nice to have her genes.

2. Friends. I have the best group of friends. They're the kinds of friends that make you laugh so hard your sides split. The kind that you gush to your parents about (Am I the only one that does that?) The kind that gives the best hugs and tells the stupidest jokes. The girls are kind, funny, weird, and breathtaking. The boys are silly, talented, respectful, and strong. Each and every one of them was put into my life for a specific reason. You know who you are. I don't tell you enough but I am so thankful for you and I wouldn't trade any of you for the world.

Now for less mushy gushy ones:

3. Wicked. I saw it with some wonderful friends last week for the third time. Let me just say, it was absolutely amazing. I laughed and (nearly) cried and the evening was not without many gooseybumps from all of the amazing talent. Walking out of the theater, I felt a Wicked HIGH coming along. I'm not lying. My companions can vouch for this.

4. The Beatles. I have recently rekindled my love for those 4 English musicians that have stolen the hearts of many a generation. I really don't think any more needs to be said of the topic. Note: Top Gun REALLY needs to be educated of the awesomeness of The Beatles. Seriously people, he had never heard the song "Here Comes the Sun" until I played it for him. NOT okay.

5. The Hunger Games series. Oh in the name of all things good and just. Get yourself these books...now. They are amazifying. You won't be sorry.

Anywho, I am very sleepy sleepy, so that will be all for now. Expect more thankful lists in the near future. I get thankful very often, sorry if you think that's boring.

xoxoDeux

Dear Jim Halpert, why aren't you real? Love, Deux

Reasons why Deux loves Jim Halpert:

1. Sense of humor. Jim Halpert has it down to an art. He is silly but smart, sarcastic but kind, dorky but cool in way. Plus, he's the pranking type. Anyone who knows me well understands that I have a very special place in my heart for a good prank. Jim Halpert makes the PERF partner in crime. Just saying.

2. The way he loves Pam. Here's where I become such a girl. Quote from the wedding episode: Four years ago I was just a guy who had a crush on a girl, who had a boyfriend. And I had to do the hardest thing I've ever had to do, which was just to...wait." In the first seasons, Jim is nothing but a wonderful friend to Pam. He doesn't push or pressure. He supports and is just...there for her. It takes Pam a little while (which is very frustrating) but she eventually gets it.

3. He is supah cute. Enough said.

Sorry for the overly girly, gushyness. I felt it was a necessary blog post.

Happy Easter!

xoxoDeux

Veils, Veils, Veils

So I've been recently praying a great deal about wearing a veil whenever in the presence of the Holy Eucharist. It's something that has crossed my mind for quite awhile, but never something I took very seriously. I constantly pushed the thought away thinking that this would only shine unwanted attention on me. But still, I felt that pull in my heart, you know THAT pull. So I bought one. I have yet to wear it. I found this little article explaining the importance and significance of the chapel veil. It explains the custom way better than I ever could. So if you're interested....

Derived from a book in progress called: "The Unveiled Woman"
by Jackie Freppon

During the second Vatican Council, a mob of reporters waited for news after a council meeting. One of them asked Msgr. Annibale Bugnini, then secretary of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship, if women still had to wear a headcover in churches. His response was that the Bishops were considering other issues, and that women's veils were not on the agenda. The next day, the International Press announced throughout the world that women did not have to wear the veil anymore. A few days later, Msgr. Bugnini told the press he was misquoted and women still had to wear the veil. But the Press did not retract the error, and many women stopped wearing the veil out of confusion and because of pressure from feminist groups.

Before the revision in 1983, Canon law had stated that women must cover their heads ". . . especially when they approach the holy table" (Can 1262.2). But in order to reduce such a growing collection of books, the new version of Canon law was subjected to concise changes. In the process, mention of headcoverings was omitted. In 1970, Pope Paul VI promulgated the Roman Missal, ignoring mention of women's veils. But at the time the Missal was published, it didn't seem necessary to keep mandatory such an obvious and universal practice, even if it no longer had a "normative" value (Interinsigniores, #4). And mention in Canon law or the Roman Missal is not necessary to the continuation of the tradition, for it is rooted in Scripture and has been practised ever since the early Church. Indeed, Pope John Paul II affirmed that the real sources of Canon law are the Sacred Tradition, especially as reflected in the ecumenical councils, and Sacred Scripture (O.S.V. Catholic Encyclopedia, p. 169).

SCRIPTURE
Sacred Scripture presents several reasons for wearing the veil. St. Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians (11:1-16) that we must cover our heads because it is Sacred Tradition commanded by our Lord Himself and entrusted to Paul: "The things I am writing to you are the Lord's commandments" (1 Cor. 14:37).

DIVINE HIERARCHY
God has established a heirarchy, in both the natural and religious spheres, in which the female is subject to the male. St. Paul writes in first Corinthians: "But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God (1 Cor. 11-3). And, in the institution of marriage, God gave the husband authority over the wife, but responsibility to her as well. Not only is he the family's decision-maker, but he is also responsible for the material and spiritual welfare of his wife and children. Man is not in this position to enslave or belittle the wife. As the Bride, (the Church), is subject to Jesus, women must wear the veil as a sign that they are subjected to men: "Let wives be subject to their husbands as to the Lord; because a husband is head of the wife, just as Christ is head of the Church." (Eph. 5, 22-23). The man represents Jesus, therefore he should not cover his head. However, this subjection is not derogatory to women, because in God's kingdom everyone is subjected to a higher authority: "For as the woman is from the man, so also is the man through the woman, but all things are from God." (1 Cor. 11, 12). Furthermore, the symbolism of the veil takes that which is invisible, the order established by God, and makes it visible. In the history of the Church, priestly vestments have played a similar symbolic role.

WOMEN'S HONOR
It is an honor to wear the veil. But by publicly repudiating it, a woman dishonors her feminine dignity, the sign of female subjection, just as the military officer is dishonored when he is stripped of his decorations. The Roman Pontifical contains the imposing ceremonial of the consecration of the veils: "Receive the sacred veil, that thou mayst be known to have despised the world, and to be truly, humbly, and with all thy heart subject to Christ as his bride; and may he defend thee from all evil, and bring thee to life eternal" (Pontificale Romanum; de benedictione). St. Paul says an unveiled woman is a dishonor: "But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncoverd disgraces her head, for it is the same as if she were shaven" (1 Cor. 11, 5).

BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS
"That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels" wrote St. Paul in 1 Cor. 11, 10. The invisible heirarchy should be respected because the Angels are present at Christian liturgical assemblies, offering with us the Holy Sacrifice with the honor due to God. St. John the Apostle wrote: "And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense that he might offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne." (Rev. 8:3, see also Matt. 18:10). They are offended by a lack of reverence at Mass, just as they abhorred King Herod's acceptance of adoration from the people of Jerusalem: "But immediately an angel of the Lord struck (Herod) down, because he had not given honor to God, and he was eaten by worms, and died." (Acts, 12:23).

ANCIENT TRADITION
The custom of wearing the veil was maintained in the primitive Churches of God. (1 Cor. 11:16). We see this in the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians. The women of Corinth, beset by modern sensibilities, started coming to church without their heads covered. When St. Paul heard of their neglect, he wrote and urged them to keep the veil. According to St. Jerome's commentary Bible, he finally settled the matter by saying the head covering was a custom of the primitive communities of Judea, "the Churches of God" (1 Thess. 2-14, 2 Thess. 1-4), which had received this Tradition from early times (2 Thess., 2:15. 3:6).

GOD'S COMMAND
Even today some people erroneously believe that St. Paul based the tradition on his personal opinion. They think he did not intend it to be continued in the Universal Church, but only as a local custom. This argument, however, does not conform to the Pauline spirit. After all, it was Paul who stood before Peter to change Jewish traditions in Christian Churches (Gal. 2:11-21). St. Paul reminds them: "for I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it; but I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:12), referring to the authority of his ministry, and veracity of his words. Pope Linus, who succeeded St. Peter, enforced also the same tradition of women covering their heads in the church (The Primitive Church, TAN). Our Lord warns us to obey His commandments: "He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:19).

CONCLUSION
In summary, the reasons that St. Paul advises women to cover their head in the church are:

• Our Lord commanded it;
• It is a visible sign of an invisible order established by God;
• The Angels at Mass are offended if women don't use it;
• It is a ceremonial vestment;
• It is our heritage.

I think I'm gonna go get my pray on :)

xoxo

DeUx