HOLY THURSDAY
One of my favorite liturgies, hanging right up there with Midnight Mass and Holy Saturday. The music, the Latin, power of it all- bringing the Eucharist to a different altar with a solemn procession, washing of feet, etc. At St. Peter, Frs Tom, John and Eduardo along with a lady representing the parish office and pastoral council washed the feet of the congregation-- anyone who wanted. I love singing the Gloria for the first time since Ash Wednesday and hearing the bells ring, knowing they won't be rung until Easter Vigil. Chills. I miss participating in Newman choir, especially singing this Gloria with the likes of the Phi Kaps and the lovely ladies of Newman while Terri gets goose bumps and gives us thumbs up while directing. Simply awesome. Don't get me wrong, Ms. Jane does a great job with the choir at St. Peter, it's just quite the same.
GOOD FRIDAY
As a little girl, I remember going to church every Friday after eating our fish sticks or tuna helper to go to Stations of the Cross. Through the years, I started serving- holding the cross as Father went from station to station. Then I played the organ for Benediction. Then we started to get so busy that we weren't able to go more than a few times and then going to college, I had work pretty regularly. I wanted to go to Good Friday service, but the one at St. Pete's was at noon... and I have class at 1, a class that I actually like and didn't really want to miss. I looked up the Diocese of Memphis website and found that the cathedral is about a mile from school and the were having stations at noon and then their service at 7. SWEET. Their cathedral is modest in size, probably about half of St. Cecilia's with a similar looking sanctuary and almost as beautiful. Around the archway framing the sanctuary it reads: "Come to me all you who are labored and burdened and I will refresh you." Perfect. It is very ornate and lovely. Stations were really good to- singing during the transition from one station to the next. I saw a first year and the director of the Clinic there too.
I went again at 7 to the Cathedral. Their choir... ROCKED. A capella. 4 parts. The priests were really good too. Veneration of the cross was really neat, there was a lot of reverence. When I was driving in, I saw a little bus that had Missionaries of Charity written on the side of it. When I went inside, I met the first year that was there earlier and sat down with her, behind the Missionaries of Charity religious sisters-- in full habit like Blessed Mother Teresa. They were sitting sprinkled through women who looked like they were under-privileged. When I got home, I googled. It turns out that the MOC have been here for 16+ years and mission to women and children needing help. They actually do not live too far from downtown/the island. It was inspiring and powerful to see them.
And now it's HOLY SATURDAY. I love the liturgy, but, now I'm not sure which church I want to go to!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
weird weather.
I'm currently sitting at my dining room table sipping freshly brewed hazelnut coffee in my bathrobe. The power is out in midtown (where school is) so I'm getting to chill at home for a while- until we get the "all clear and cool" email from Dr. Phillips. We had some strong storms blow through last night, knocking power out on the island for about a half hour or so, but midtown is still out, so school is going to be rull stuffy when it does come back on.
At 10:45 last night, Kaila and I realized that, though we know what to do in the event of tornado sirens/severe thunderstorms, we do not have what we need... aka- battery powered flashlights and radios. Turns out, the power goes out in TN waaaay more than it ever did in Nebraska. We do have battery powered computers with internet access, but when the power is out, our internet network goes out too. She called her little brother back in IA to check it out for us and was also texting a girl in our class who lives farther east to see what was going on. She was hiding in a closet with her phone, computer, and a glass of wine waiting for her husband to come home. Needless to say, we will be finding our flashlights and batteries for our alarm/clock/radios for the next storm.
Before the power went out, I checked the Wayne Herald online and saw it snowed at home yesterday... and was 34, feels like 30 at 10pm, while it was 81 here. It got up to 88. No wonder we had storms, right? So, I hope y'all are staying warm. I'd probably better get back to my VT Lab manual. We have our final practical tomorrow- Diagnosing a Pt with a Binocular Vision Disorder and explaining it to their "parent" (the grading doctor) and then give them the best therapy to treat that condition and demonstrate how to do 2 or 3 therapy techniques...
I'm so burned out and ready for the semester to be over.
On an exciting note---I am working with one of the greatest Pediatric Optometrists in the country in starting a student club for InfantSEE at SCO. He is one of the pioneers of this great program which gives and infant 6-12mo old a free eye exam to check for various, serious ocular conditions. The student body seems pretty excited about it as well. My classmate, Molly, had been working with him previously and asked me if I would be willing to help as well. Since her surgery and subsequent stay in the hospital, we wanted to keep this going to honor her. Dr. Steele even suggested calling it Molly Goodman's InfantSEE Club. I think we can do some awesome things with this.
At 10:45 last night, Kaila and I realized that, though we know what to do in the event of tornado sirens/severe thunderstorms, we do not have what we need... aka- battery powered flashlights and radios. Turns out, the power goes out in TN waaaay more than it ever did in Nebraska. We do have battery powered computers with internet access, but when the power is out, our internet network goes out too. She called her little brother back in IA to check it out for us and was also texting a girl in our class who lives farther east to see what was going on. She was hiding in a closet with her phone, computer, and a glass of wine waiting for her husband to come home. Needless to say, we will be finding our flashlights and batteries for our alarm/clock/radios for the next storm.
Before the power went out, I checked the Wayne Herald online and saw it snowed at home yesterday... and was 34, feels like 30 at 10pm, while it was 81 here. It got up to 88. No wonder we had storms, right? So, I hope y'all are staying warm. I'd probably better get back to my VT Lab manual. We have our final practical tomorrow- Diagnosing a Pt with a Binocular Vision Disorder and explaining it to their "parent" (the grading doctor) and then give them the best therapy to treat that condition and demonstrate how to do 2 or 3 therapy techniques...
I'm so burned out and ready for the semester to be over.
On an exciting note---I am working with one of the greatest Pediatric Optometrists in the country in starting a student club for InfantSEE at SCO. He is one of the pioneers of this great program which gives and infant 6-12mo old a free eye exam to check for various, serious ocular conditions. The student body seems pretty excited about it as well. My classmate, Molly, had been working with him previously and asked me if I would be willing to help as well. Since her surgery and subsequent stay in the hospital, we wanted to keep this going to honor her. Dr. Steele even suggested calling it Molly Goodman's InfantSEE Club. I think we can do some awesome things with this.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
unexpectedly awesome weekend.
things have been crazy around here. the life of a student is very chaotic and busy- with tests, meetings, studying, practicing techniques, trying to keep in touch with people, errands, etc.
after the o-pharm test on friday, Kaila, Leigha, Allison and I went to east memphis to volunteer for the Youth Villages 5K. they are an organization that helps foster children in the community. we went out there representing COVD @ SCO. the people were so wonderful. it actually felt like i was a part of the memphis community and were doing something not school related for a change- yes, it was organized through a school organization, but it wasn't and SCO project or assignment or anything like that.
since we were all the way out there, we decided to hit up DSW-- cute peep toe, animal print pumps on clearance! and then went to the brand new chipotle on the way back. Leigha kept saying "it's worth it. it's sooo worth it" the entire time we were in line waiting, which, mind you, was an hour. AND let me say, it was quite worth it.
once we got back home, i had to do some baking. saturday, after bible study at the Newmans', FCO hosted an Easter Egg hunt fundraiser for our trip- complete with a(nother) bakesale. we had some bean bag tosses and face painting as well as balloon animals. I painted a few balls, mustaches, bunnies and butterflies on tiny little cheeks. it was really refreshing to experience the joy and happiness of children. dang, they were all so cute too!
later on, my friend jessica and i babysat for one of our professors. her two little boys are hilarious. i introduced them to my friend "the tickle monster." the 3 year old exclaimed sternly, "the tickle monster is NOT my friend but YOU are my friend!" we had another little girl, who is 6 like the other little boy. we had a ton of fun.
mass today was great. Fr. John said mass, which he hasn't done in awhile as he travels a lot, much like Fr. Matya did, as he too, is the director of vocations- but for the Dominican Order instead of Lincoln diocese. he challenged us to not be "spiritual bystanders" this week and really experience Holy Week, especially if we haven't had an awesome Lent, which is so true for me. yes, i did give up sweets and limited myself to a once daily check of fb, but i do not feel like i'm a better person... not at all. so, here's to making a holier week.
after the o-pharm test on friday, Kaila, Leigha, Allison and I went to east memphis to volunteer for the Youth Villages 5K. they are an organization that helps foster children in the community. we went out there representing COVD @ SCO. the people were so wonderful. it actually felt like i was a part of the memphis community and were doing something not school related for a change- yes, it was organized through a school organization, but it wasn't and SCO project or assignment or anything like that.
since we were all the way out there, we decided to hit up DSW-- cute peep toe, animal print pumps on clearance! and then went to the brand new chipotle on the way back. Leigha kept saying "it's worth it. it's sooo worth it" the entire time we were in line waiting, which, mind you, was an hour. AND let me say, it was quite worth it.
once we got back home, i had to do some baking. saturday, after bible study at the Newmans', FCO hosted an Easter Egg hunt fundraiser for our trip- complete with a(nother) bakesale. we had some bean bag tosses and face painting as well as balloon animals. I painted a few balls, mustaches, bunnies and butterflies on tiny little cheeks. it was really refreshing to experience the joy and happiness of children. dang, they were all so cute too!
later on, my friend jessica and i babysat for one of our professors. her two little boys are hilarious. i introduced them to my friend "the tickle monster." the 3 year old exclaimed sternly, "the tickle monster is NOT my friend but YOU are my friend!" we had another little girl, who is 6 like the other little boy. we had a ton of fun.
mass today was great. Fr. John said mass, which he hasn't done in awhile as he travels a lot, much like Fr. Matya did, as he too, is the director of vocations- but for the Dominican Order instead of Lincoln diocese. he challenged us to not be "spiritual bystanders" this week and really experience Holy Week, especially if we haven't had an awesome Lent, which is so true for me. yes, i did give up sweets and limited myself to a once daily check of fb, but i do not feel like i'm a better person... not at all. so, here's to making a holier week.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
going to the chapel...
one of my dearest friends/cousins/awesome ladies is getting married in May. Our parents have played cards together since before they were all married and my dad and her mom are first cousins. When I was home for Christmas, Meg and I got supper at Noodles and sat there for several hours catching up. She had asked me if I would play the organ for her wedding. My heart broke and I had to tell her I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it-- I am in Memphis this summer, seeing patients, so I could be in clinic until 7:00pm Friday night. Flights are expensive, I don't have time or a piano to practice and I am not that good to begin with. She told me not to worry about it-- "You can say no, I have back-ups. But I am going to sweeten the pot a little bit to make you want to come even more." Y'all, it's going to be one BIG CELEBRATION.
After getting the invite in the mail, I knew I should investigate this flight situation a little more. After scouring the internet, I found a nonstop flight in/out of Omaha which, crossing your fingers and saying a prayer, should get me to the church on time to attend. AND the nonstop flight, on the airline's website was CHEAPER than all of the "discount sites" which would get me to OMA after leaving MEM at 6am with a layover in Chicago, Atlanta, or Houston.... Thankfully, later departure time with a similar arrival-- simply awesome. My parents are so sweet and paid for the flight because they know how important she is and how much I wanted to be there... That and I think Mom wants me home at some point this summer.
Not only will I get to witness the wedding, I will get to see the rest of my parents' crazy card club friends, our (somewhat tamer) extended family, and MY OWN FAMILY! I'm missing Luke's graduation in order to go to Guatemala, so I will get to see my BA degree-d brother as well as my little sister. Only 6ish weeks! Now, I should probs go study for our test this afternoon.
After getting the invite in the mail, I knew I should investigate this flight situation a little more. After scouring the internet, I found a nonstop flight in/out of Omaha which, crossing your fingers and saying a prayer, should get me to the church on time to attend. AND the nonstop flight, on the airline's website was CHEAPER than all of the "discount sites" which would get me to OMA after leaving MEM at 6am with a layover in Chicago, Atlanta, or Houston.... Thankfully, later departure time with a similar arrival-- simply awesome. My parents are so sweet and paid for the flight because they know how important she is and how much I wanted to be there... That and I think Mom wants me home at some point this summer.
Not only will I get to witness the wedding, I will get to see the rest of my parents' crazy card club friends, our (somewhat tamer) extended family, and MY OWN FAMILY! I'm missing Luke's graduation in order to go to Guatemala, so I will get to see my BA degree-d brother as well as my little sister. Only 6ish weeks! Now, I should probs go study for our test this afternoon.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
checked out.
BAM. Look out Memphians. Two thumbs. Red hair. Gonna examine your eyeballs.
my patient was Tony, a fellow Husker/Shopko Optician from Omaha. we chanted Husker Power before we started. j/k but seriously. kinda. Dr. Newman, was my not-scary-at-all staff doc. She's the Contact Lens Resident. I asked her when it was over if there was anything I could do better or if she had any suggestions. She paused thought a little bit and said she couldn't think of anything and said I did great. Hopefully my grade reflects it as well. :)
Praise God. and Bless Tony and Dr. Newman.
my patient was Tony, a fellow Husker/Shopko Optician from Omaha. we chanted Husker Power before we started. j/k but seriously. kinda. Dr. Newman, was my not-scary-at-all staff doc. She's the Contact Lens Resident. I asked her when it was over if there was anything I could do better or if she had any suggestions. She paused thought a little bit and said she couldn't think of anything and said I did great. Hopefully my grade reflects it as well. :)
Praise God. and Bless Tony and Dr. Newman.
Monday, April 4, 2011
getting checked out.
@7:30 am I will be running the show in a real exam lane that real doctors use to do real eye exams on real patients. no more of these eye exams in a cracker jack box/cubby like we do in lab. Before they let us touch real humans next month, we have to demonstrate at least minimal competence and prove we won't harm anyone in Pre-Clinic Checkouts.
i'm starting to get nervous. mind you, my "patient" is a classmate which is a (hopefully) compliant patient, buuut, i will complete the full eye (hour long) exam with a staff doc breathing down my neck watching and grading my every move. ok maybe slight exaggeration, they are human too and can get lulled to sleep while they sit in the corner, but still, even from 5 ft away, I'll feel their presence looming. I know I can do it all, and I can do it all in less than an hour. I'm just nervous about how nervous I will get and how nervous Staff Doc X will make me compared with Staff Doc Y. And also, undilated 90D fundus eval. And retinoscopy. :S
8 hours away. i'd better go to sleep. good night.
i'm starting to get nervous. mind you, my "patient" is a classmate which is a (hopefully) compliant patient, buuut, i will complete the full eye (hour long) exam with a staff doc breathing down my neck watching and grading my every move. ok maybe slight exaggeration, they are human too and can get lulled to sleep while they sit in the corner, but still, even from 5 ft away, I'll feel their presence looming. I know I can do it all, and I can do it all in less than an hour. I'm just nervous about how nervous I will get and how nervous Staff Doc X will make me compared with Staff Doc Y. And also, undilated 90D fundus eval. And retinoscopy. :S
8 hours away. i'd better go to sleep. good night.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
it is fixed.
I DROVE MY CAR WHEREVER I WANTED TO THIS WEEKEND.
It is finally fixed, after 10 weeks and over $3,000.
I'm a fairly independent person and to be dependent on someone to go anywhere... I hate being a burden on people. Thankfully I have such wonderful, understanding friends that just "know" when I need to go/do things and offer before I even need to ask- so a big THANK YOU to my dear friends. I will pay you all back, eventually... likely with baked goods? (ha- Kaila will KILL ME)
It is finally fixed, after 10 weeks and over $3,000.
I'm a fairly independent person and to be dependent on someone to go anywhere... I hate being a burden on people. Thankfully I have such wonderful, understanding friends that just "know" when I need to go/do things and offer before I even need to ask- so a big THANK YOU to my dear friends. I will pay you all back, eventually... likely with baked goods? (ha- Kaila will KILL ME)
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