Back by popular demand...my life.

Okay, so I haven't had the chance to be as regular as I would like, but we'll have to make do.

Anyway, here is the low-down on what has happened since last we spoke:

This past Friday I traveled to Newark, Delaware. There were five of us from my campus ministry (boy, I've been doing a lot of religious stuff lately) who were going to our regional Social and Service Overnight. So we got into Newark about 6:55. We called our regional president who (being from Philly himself) had no idea where to pick us up. So we stood in the freezing cold for what seemed like an hour (which was really about 15minutes) and the five of us crammed in his car with him and his girlfriend (that brings the total to seven people in an old Olds decked out for six max). We got to the retreat center...blah, blah, blah, we're playing Sardines in a local church. It is traditional that we all sleep on the floor of a church before spending all day Saturday doing service. I then spent Saturday sorting through books in the church's youth room (and found several VERY interesting Sex Ed books with a religious twist--ps, guys, apparently men are the root of all relational, sexual, and social problems with the world). And then I sang REALLY old songs and played bingo with soe darlingly (?) old people.

Sunday, I took someone to church with me to the Episcopal church at Rittenhouse Square (for those of you who know what/where I'm talking about: it is as nice on the inside as it is on the outside). And then I came home to plan my Oscars party. During my nap (gimme a break, there was a fire drill the night before, and the night before that I was on the floor of a church--I was exhausted), I got a call from a friend's cell phone, picked up and another friend of mine coerced me into making brownies for the other friend's (whose cell it was) Oscar party, oh, and by the way, he said, I was invited. Well, I was slightly ticked, but never one to pass up securing my friendships with bribes, I whipped out my supplies and made a batch of the brownies from the Super Bowl party (from over at the Red Bucket Diaries--thanks Jon-Marc, again), and a batch of Peanut Butter cookies. I know they only asked for brownies, but I had some extra peanut butter, so why not make some?

I then went to class, had a rather regular Monday--still no news about Rome.

Tonight was the Honors Certificate Ceremony. My parents--also from Connecticut-came down and brought lobster and goodies for my friends and I. It was quite nice, although I realized that I get the need to buy friendships from my mother. Again, no news about Rome.

My parents are in town until Friday (when they take me home for break) and they are staying on campus (at the six-suite hotel we have). I don't know why but I think that it is kinda creepy to have one's parents stay on the same campus on which you are attending classes--especially when you will not see them for most of the time they are here.

By-the-by, I think that there is a definitive need for your help. I am thinking about my future. For one thing, I think that I am going to back off on the Classics Major to a Minor and keep the Religion Major. By doing this I ensure I graduate on time. Also, I am going to need to go to grad school no matter what, so what the hell do I care what my BA is in? So, here is where you come in: (1) I need your advice on making this decision. Here are my choices: (1a) Keep things as is and take at least one extra semester for BA and then go on to grad school; (1b) Back of to Classics minor and graduate on time with a BA and then go on to grad school. (2) Also, help me figure out what I want to do with my life: (2a) Museum archivist, other down/dirty/bowels of the institution work; (2b) Professorship whilst being Museum patron; (2c) Other.

Thanks...and let's hope I get a chance to keep this thing more regularly!
Happiness for y'all!
JCM

My Favorite Time of Year

I'm not sure why but we are upon my most favorite time of the year: Lent.

I do apologize, this may get a little religious...but we all need something to believe in. For now I'm still into Christianity.

Anyway, I'm not sure why I like Lent. Maybe I like the self-reflection. Maybe I like the discipline. Maybe I like the hope for a brighter future. Maybe I'm just a masochist.

Anyway, I have not yet decided what I'm going to give up...if anything--or maybe I'll add something new.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the most penitential day in the Church year. I have so much to be repentant for. Unfortunately, I'm not going to divulge any of my juicy secrets here. Let's just say there's a list, and I'm not sure it's anywhere near complete. But I'm learning the acceptance of the flaws, and the embrace of the imperfections. So thankfully the list is a little shorter than last year.

Anyway, I have no idea what this post is about. It is very early in the morning after a terribly long day and I'm trying to postpone going to bed as long as possible and wasting your time whilst I do it.

So, I'll just leave you with this: take some time in the coming days for self-reflection. Give thanks for the things that you have and say a prayer for those who go without. There are a lot of them, and there is no reason for it.

I'll hopefully be posting a little bit more during this time keeping everyone up to date on my life. I do so hope that there is good news to report in the VERY near future. But we shall see.

Sorry for the last coupla posts I know they've been boring. But sometimes that's just the way life it.

Sin Boldly!

One of my favorite Lutheran concepts!

Today is MARDI GRAS, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday (where'd that one come from ), Factsnacht! And y'all know what that means:

Eat fatty food, drink, party, dance, laugh, and generally live in luxurious sin cuz it all ends tomorrow!

My plans, you ask? I have calsses and will need to go to them since I already skipped one of them this semester, the other one is so preacrious I must go, and the other is Greek and we all know how much I need to go to that!

BUT!

Then I am running out to Reading Terminal Market (farmers market for those of you not from Philly) where I have to pick up some bacon, sausage, and eggs (just better there); some berries and etc. for some kind of fruit sauce; cookies from 4th street bakery (again, just better); and possibly a few canolies. I am then coming back and my friends and I are doing the traditional pancakes and various other breakfast foods for dinner.

So, live it up my peoples...cuz it's only for now!

JCM

Self-Reflection and Resolutions...

...but can I keep them?

So this past weekend was my first experience ever on the verge of a mental breakdown. I realized Saturday that the room we had booked for Ash Wednesday (the downside of being on a campus with no chapel, is that worship takes place in rented rooms in the Student Center...ah well, where two or three...) had not been planned. That is, we were supposed to get together with the reservation co-ordinator and plan what we wanted to room to look like. And, it would not have been too bad since we have learned to be very flexible in what the room looks like. However, we needed like over half of the room empty for the Labyrinth--our walking maditation canvas circle thingie which is like 30x30. Anyway, I e-mailed the co-ordinator and she got back to me which was nice. She then came in this morning 15 minues late (8:45) and told me she could not see me (with an attitude, of course) because she had a meeting at 9. I called her after my first class, and dropped in on her after my second and finally got to meet with her. She ended up being very patient and quite helpful, I just wish I had been able to get into see her earlier (and I fully accept that fault lies on both side). Anyway, long story short (since I'm sincerely trying not to hold grudges anymore) is that everything is worked out

My mental breakdown has been postponed until further notice, and I am back to normal...for now.

Hope everything is goin well for all of you...and many prayers for peace and blessings in the days to come!

Jay

There are just certain days when....

......life sucks.

I know, life could be (for me) and is (for many others) worse than what I'm about to complain about, but you know me, always willing to let loose.

So I found out on Monday that I was missing a transcript with my application to go to Rome. What's interesting is that it is a transcript from a college I never (technically) attended. The application requested "all institutions you attended at the college level." That is only the college I'm at now. BUT, in high school I took part in a co-op with UConn and got college credit (with a UConn transcript). But I never attended UConn, I took a high school class with a high school teacher at my high school. I don't consider that attending UConn. AND what's more, once Temple accepted the transfer credits, shouldn't that transcription just become part of my other one? Ah well, I'll never understand.

ON TOP OF THAT!

I went to my academic advisor (the Honors program) to ask for a copy of the appropriate transcript to find out they never got it from CLA (College of Liberal Arts) general academic advising. So off I went to CLA advising. I asked one of the seven (COUNT THEM 7!) people working behind the desk if I could get a copy of my transcript. She handed me a form (without even saying what it was for or anything). I filled it out. One line said "blah, blah, blah, internal institutional fax to: blah, blah, Study Abroad#_______________ attention _________" I filled in the attention but asked the woman at the desk whether the "#_________" was for the fax number or for the number of transcripts. She said that they needed to fax number. Now, note, it was printed on the paper so they obviously get enough requests for it to do it automatically. Yet, they don't have the number? Also, I told her I did not know the fax number (who carries that around with them?) and she said "You can call them on the campus phone of that wall" (opposite end of the room). Then she just stared at me. I politely replied "I don't have the phone number, either." (I mean I hadn't expected to have to run around campus thrice just to get a fricking transcript for two classes that they accepted credit for). She huffed something and then sighed, 'I can give you their extension, give me a minute.' I replied with a slightly less that pleasant "thank you." She took out some book, huffed and sighed as she flipped every frickin page to get the number, gave me the extension (though she did not write it down or offer me a pen). I had to call and it was the shortest phone call I've ever had:

THEM: "International Studies how may I help you?"
ME: "I need the fax number."
THEM: "Sure, it's ---_---_----"
ME: "Thank you." click

I gave her back the form and she harumphed something and I left.

Now, if that was not bad enough, the form said it would take 1-2 days to complete the request. NOTE: I didn't want them to make the paper, copy it by hand, illuminate it, and frame it. I only wanted them to pull my file, pull out the piece of paper, put it into the fax machine, and send it over. There were seven people behind the desk, no one in line, and if their chairs had wheels, they wouldn't have even had to stand up. BUT! Somehow, it's still not there.

Fuck it all. I'm sitting on tenterhooks waiting on this (understandably less than in reality, but for right now) life-and-death decision and they can't even fax--not even personally deliver with flowers and a song--a piece of paper which is all that stands between me and the decision.

I hate bureaucracy!
JCM

I Love Y'All

I have the best friends ever. It is surprising that what at once can be a terrible situation, ends up being one of the best. Bonding occurred, reconciliations were everywhere, and love was definitely spread around.

So, you people reading this and recognize yourself, I love y'all very much...I really couldn't ask for better friends...even if I tried.

We just need to continue to remember the good times and forget about the bad, roll with the punches, and accept a hug what it's necessary.

Love you all...and for the rest of you...I hope you have friedsn as good as mine, they're hard to come by so hold on tight to them whilst you have them.

JCM

Buying my Friendships

So, I made these brownies. Thank you to jon-marc over at the Red Bucket Diaries for the recipe.

Anyway, I made them for the SuperBowl party on Sunday. Everyone loved them. Indeed, people called me Satan. I took it as a compliment.

Again, I have something to go to; a potluck hosted by The Simple Way. I made them again. However, I knew that the only way to still have my brownies for the potluck tomorrow, I would have to make more for others. So, I made one recipe of those, and another batch that was the brownie base of those but with peanut butter chips (no peanut butter topping or ganauche finish). So I cut up the "old ones" and the "new ones." Everyone thought I was completely evil. And I love it. Because I am an attention whore, and an affection junky.

And damn proud of it.

Try 'em, they're delicious....

JCM

p.s. as of the posting of this i still have all dozen-and-a-half of the originals for tomorrow.

First Stage of Victory...but don't celebrate yet!

So I finally turned in my application for study in Rome next semester...

Stay tuned for updates...

JCM

p.s. please say a prayer, light a candle, smoke something, anything spiritual with the intention of my acceptance!

Binging and Purging, or How I Spent Superbowl Sunday

So the Superbowl came and went, and as always the best part was the commercials. But Superbowl Sunday was a busy day for me, and let me tell you why:

(1) I came home Saturday after a movie with friends (The Departed at the campus cinema) and found that my comuters (both desktop and laptop) had been infected with a brand new virus for which Temple is the first target site. Yippee!
(2) I went out in the blustery cold to meet people to lead them to church (part of being a peer minister) and stood in the icy air for fifteen minutes just to wait for no one. So, being the devout Christian I am, bought a Philly Inquirer and went back to warm up with a cup of coffee and a paper.
(3) I then started the enormous job of ... and here comes the purging ... System recovery on my laptop. It was the quickest thing I could think of to fix the problem since the Help Desk was closed on Sunday.
(4) I went to the Temple game with a dear friend, at which it was dollar dog day, and had a bit of food.
(5) I come back with said friend and watched Rome, Season One, Episode 1and2 from the boxed set (because I am a classics dork who has it).
(6) I went to the most kicck-ass superbowl party of my life. There were about a dozen of us four couches facing four television sets. And, while I did not fully appreciate the volleyball, I did enjoy the commercials (my favorite by far being "Combos, they're what your mom would feed you...if your mom were a man.").
(7) I then came back to my room to fall asleep to awake to worse temperatures and Latin class and Greek Historians and Greek. I am really starting to hate being a Classics major.

Anyway, hope you had the greatest day and are staying warm wheree'er you are...

JCM

Groceries are Just More Fun This Way!

So, in general I like to go shopping for groceries. It's a great way to spend a dreary afternoon...or a hot summer one as well.

Anyway, I like shopping for groceries...until I moved in this year. I was lucky enough to get a dorm that is an apartment (range, full fridge, living room and all) which is very nice. Except that it tends to make me want to cook food for myself. Which tends to make me need to go shopping. Which is a bitch.

Yes, I finally found something that makes grocery shopping a bitch: the subway. That's right, public transportation. Somehow, you never realize how much you buy in one trip normally until you have to shop with a subway ride and several blocks between the store and your apartment.

But I've found the solution. For one thing: if you go shopping to the SuperFresh on South you can also go to WholeFoods which is quite a luxury. As well, if you go with like eight people and just put it all in one cart and worry about it later you don't have to carry quite as much yourself , and you get a GREAT social event as well.

Just wanted to let you in on how I spent my afternoon (after the room was clean/rearranged/etc.)!

Have fun...and hope you have someone fun to do your chores and errands with!

JCM

Life is...Inspirational? or Putting Things Off

So I have now officially implanted myself on our futon, from this vantage point I can watch television, talk to whatever random person is standing in my kitchen...probably cooking...or eating...work on my computer, grab a book, search my rather large film collection, and take a nap.

Is it laziness? Not at all.

Let me explain one thing about myself.

I. Hate. to. Clean. That's all. It is just about the worst thing I ever have to do. I am not dirty person. I'm just a little cluttered. "Messy not dirty," as Lou explains in Angels in America. It's an important distinction. (I'd quote that but I'm not sure if he actually says that or if it is a false monitoring thing--thanks Mom for making me so unsure of myself...another blog, another time people).

Anyway, right now my room is rather...um...cluttered-est. Is there a superlative for that? There should be. It is beyond cluttered to sheer terror everytime I walk in. Clothes piled up (clean...but they only give you so much room in these damnedable dressers); papers from every class, no class, work, fun; souvenirs from New Orleans for New Year's since there is still a suitcase and a half that I have yet to unpack from break...I know, I know, it was almost a month ago.

But. In my defense. Well, explanation, not excuse: life is VERY crazy this semester. For one thing, last semester I had no class earlier than 1240. This semester my classes are at 940 and 1010. This is less time in the morning to stay organized...I'm in a rush. Also, I have class on Friday, and occurence I was fortunate to avoid last semester.

Anyway, I moved out here so that I don't have to work on my desktop which is piled up wth papers.

Thank God my parents got me a laptop so that I could let me room go, huh?

Anyway, I've decided that today is chores day. I am going to clean...mostly pick up though. Our apartment is relatively clean, just cluttered. And I have to go groceries shopping with a coupla friends. Super Bowl is tomorrow (not that I particularly care about the volleyball...or any sport). I'm invited to a party. I thought twice about going after our little...um...tift. But, tthen everything seemed to have been worked out (I say in the passive since I was not actively involved with fixing the problem), and so I have to pick up a bunch of stuff to make something (any suggestions?). That is, on top of the necessities since I haven't had milk or bread in my apartment in like two weeks.

College sucks sometimes.

But I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Happiness, and go...um...Bears? Are they playing? ... Okay, I joke, I know the teams, at least, which are playing. And, honestly, as much as I don't care, my friends and I realized the following: Bears v. Colts. Colts, horses, versus Bears...I mean, they're bears. Need I say more?

JCM

Thanks, these extra fifteen minutes of peace before I have to start were great!

I laughed...how 'bout you?

So I was following a link from Cats and this is what I found:

"One man's theology is another man's belly laugh."
Robert A. Heinlein

from random quotes.

Anyway, I found it not only amusing, but relatively accurate.

I hope you have both something to believe in...be it love, peace, God...and something to laugh at...be it religion, your dog, or your best friend.

May many good things come your way!

JCM

But I Still Have Hope...

I'm not sure how, why, or for how long...considering my last post...but I still have hop ethat thigs will get better. I'm sure that they will. I know, I know, college is a time fo indecision...these are natural feelings. However, I have never been quite so cynical, so downtrodden, so miserable before.

Ah well, you have to experience the worst times to accept and give thanks for the blessings...

Holding out hope for happiness...you do the same...

JCM