A Birthday, A Surprise, and A Countdown

So, as you know, Justin's birthday was on December 2nd, and due to my laxity I failed to blog about it. Sorry, Justin- I love you, I really do.

So for his birthday we went to NFP class (probably not much of a birthday-worthy event, but at least we've graduated from it now), went to (a slightly unimpressive) Handel's Messiah at the Hill Auditorium that evening, and then went to B-Dubs for dinner (where we had to crowd in to fit everyone, but had a lovely conversation about TV locations). A bunch of people showed up for dinner, and I'm sure Justin was encouraged by that friendship. Plus, the day after his birthday was the first day of Advent- and that HAS to be good. His fam threw a small party for him too, with delicious chocolate cake. It's making me hungry thinking about it.

Now, it should also be put forward that as always, the week BEFORE finals is inevitably the most stressful one of the semester. Generally, I deal with this stress by a good deal of avoidance, but I don't really have that option this year, because I've got so many papers to do before the end of the week. But luckily, Launchcast saves my life, or maybe my sanity.
-So, in highschool I used to listen to this song "Denise," by a band I didn't know because I found it on a random mix tape of my sisters'. I didn't hear it again for years, and it bothered me that I didn't even know where to begin looking for this song... until the other night, on launchcast, and it turns out the song is by Fountains of Wayne on their album Utopia, from 1999. Problem solved.

Also, a Countdown begins this week- namely, the one that every college student is familiar with: the end of the semester. For most, we count not only the last days of classes, but also our final exam days, until that last second we can finally say "I'm DONE!" I won't lie and claim I'm not counting those days (hopefully I'm done by next Tuesday), but this semester it also includes a later date- the day a writtle bear returns to Michigan. I think my family might end up trying to kill me this year because of all the non-immediate family activity I've got on my plate, but frankly I think my co-dictator and I need as much catch-up time as we can get.

That being said, feel free to call me anytime after next Tuesday so we can all hang out!

Are You Bored Yet?

In response to Monica's question: "Update?"
I answer: "Update."

I've got too many papers to write, so what better way to get them finished than by blogging about what I do while procrastinating?

Sometimes, I look at pictures, like the one above.

Sometimes, I go on Facebook, and stalk people via "networking."

Sometimes, I play Xplorers, except you need Java 1.5 to play.

Sometimes, I find funny little sites online, and blog whatever I find.

For Justin, whose birthday is on December 2nd.

For Brigid, who keeps me company while I write my papers, even in a different state.

For our Awesome Dam-Building Friends' mascot, who got away.

So What Does It Feel Like To Be Older?

In the words of a certain Co-Dictator, it "Feels like kissing an old man's wrinkles."

Pretty apt description, I'd say.

But, in the interests of being completely thorough (Thoreau?) I've added an addendum (that seems redundant) to Brigid's honorarium. Also on November 7th:
-The October Revolution, in which the Bolsheviks stage a coup against the previous revolutionary republic of Russia, begins on Nov. 7
-The Munich Uprising in Germany, just prior to the signing of the World War I armistice on November 11, rioting breaks out.

Any other historically significant November 7th happenings?

I need sleep.

Ode To A Birthday Dictator

It has been called to my attention that one Brigid Moira McNally and I have less than a week left until our respective birthdays. Because she so clearly holds seniority over me, I have decided to devote this post entirely to recalling her spectacular verbal quips, and, probably, indecencies. Honestly, somebody should do a study on the long-term effects of Mountain Dew: Code Red.

"Cheesy Bread... when did you guys develop that????"
...
"Word of the Day: Cantankerous. As in, 'Brigid, I wish you weren't so cantankerous when you wake up in the morning.'"
...
"Jimmy!!! Where ARE you?!?!?!"
...
"I'm only teasing, but I can see you're not responding, so nevermind."
...
"I'm a twelve year old fat girl!!!"
...
"I can't be sneaky about anything- I'm like a buffalo!"
...
"You're getting fat with power."
...
"I'm going to draw a diagram of the Strategic Defense Initiative.."
"...But that looks like a UFO..."
...
"Ooh, hold on! I have to depress my emergency break!"
...
"FANTASTIC!"
...
"You bring out the Down's Syndrome child in everyone."
...
"What if your leg got stuck between the seat and the toilet paper dispenser?"
...
"Thinking about desserts makes me uncomfortable."
...
"Not enough people are running so you are STUCK WITH ME! Muahahahah..ha."
...
"Adolf, you're so linear!"
...
"Communication is essential to all relationships- don't plug your ears, and don't contracept."
...
"Sometimes I wonder how people can look at my face and not throw up."
...

Yeah, that was pretty hilarious.
So, here's to almost 21 years of proving our worth to the world, by any means necessary:
Happy Birthday!

Hopefully Awesome

In the words of somebody awesome, it's been a while since some awesomeness...

So here's a little update as to what's going on:
-It's still residual midterms time around here, which means all of my professors have suddenly realized they've been making our lives too easy, and assigned gargantuan amounts of reading and writing homework. Thus my conspicuous absence in the digital realm. I'm still trying to play catch-up, and my school does not grant us the luxury of all-school reading days during exam time. *sigh*

-It's getting extremely close to election time (and also my birthday) so the pressure is on with Catholics in the Public Square. We're in heavy need of some volunteers to help spread the word about the contradictions between Governor Granholm's actions and the teachings of the Catholic Church, so I've been given the responsibility of making the phone calls for Macomb County. Top that all off with the fact that my Macomb County leader's e-mail doesn't work, and that he somehow holds me personally responsible for our incommunication, it becomes a fairly stressful time for this writtle intern.

-We've made some great strides with regard to our wedding plans. Justin was nice enough to get in touch with the powers that be at Christ the King, so we've confirmed that Fr. Ed and Fr. Pat will be concelebrating at the wedding. We've also put a plot together to have our reception in a tent, and gamble on our nice June weather. We still have to confirm our permission with the families whose yards we will be borrowing for the event, but it should come together nicely.

-Natural Family Planning is harder than I thought. The main problem is that I have no regular sleep schedule (as you all know well) and it gets to be very difficult when you're supposed to be taking your waking temperature at the same time every day. I'm left there asking what I'm supposed to do when I don't even get to sleep by 7 am every day. Woops.

-To Emily: I've found that the best way to deal with certain unnamed professors was to simply give them no excuse to dislike you in any way. Don't be discouraged at the extra work this may cause; it will actually build your case against them for treating you unfairly. In the meantime, before any grades get sent out or whatever, I would also try and contact whoever is superior to this professor, to give them a heads up that you suspect some kind of favoritism in the classroom. It may be that the professor has a precedent for this, and other students have complained as well. And if not, if the pattern continues, your testimony will aid future students. Also, writing biting humorous commentary about them can't hurt.

-To Havilah: I'm so glad you're back in the country! This means I have a much better chance of getting together with you sometime! And don't worry, you're definitely coming to the wedding. Even if we have to force you. I believe I have your e-mail address, so I can send my addy along to you whenever I remember it- I've been staying up in White Lake, MI during the school year, and I'm still used to my Ann Arbor address. Keep in touch in the meantime!

-To Anyone Who's Interested: Orchard Lake is having a costume halloween party/dance, for FREE! Feel free to come up and visit with me, at least- it could be tons of fun! And relieve me of boredom!

I may add links to this post later, but in the interest of saving my academic butt, I'll have to put it off until after my papers are done. Have a great week, everybody!

HaHa- He Said "Professorial"

Newsflash: I've officially reached the point in the semester where I have to convince myself upon waking up every day that going to class is a good idea.

I think I've finally gotten over that 3- or 4-week High at having something to do with my brain, resulting in a mind-boggling downer. Although I must admit that going to class today turned out to be a great idea, as the Moral Theology class debated the Principle of Double Effect as relating to Nyquil and M*A*S*H. Get stoked, everybody. I might be able to get my hands on seasons 1-10 sometime soon, and waste my valuable homework time watching M*A*S*H with Justin's stepdad. Weee!

Things I'm still working on:
~Getting my car taken care of. This includes the title, insurance, and registration; although happily there is a specific car in mind when I speak of this.
~Planning the wedding reception. Hopefully we'll get this taken care of in due time, but first I have to get a confirmation from our place and put down a deposit to guarantee it.
~Figure out how much money I have to spare toward getting hi-speed internet at the house. Frankly, I think I would spend as little time as possible outside of my room if that were the case.
~My internship. Getting a set schedule for this thing is ridiculous, and at this rate I'll have to continue even after the semester ends to get the proper hours in.
~My birthday. Having your 21st in the middle of the week and living at least an hour away from the people you want to spend it with is a bigger hassle than I realized. Boo.

Anyhoo, I have to run, in hopes of finding some lunch and getting some work done before the little girls go completely crazy at having me home with them. You have no idea how hard it is to study when you have 2 girls sitting right outside your door asking you every 3 minutes what you are doing and if they can show you something really pretty.

Cheers!

Addendum: Everything I Do Is On Purpose

In the interests of coming off as condescending, rather than faintly idiotic and absent-minded, I thought I should inform everyone that the blank post from before was undoubtedly, undeniably, openly and unquestionably totally my fault. My bad. I hit the "publish post" button without realizing it, and by the time I looked back at my computer I didn't even notice what had happened.

But, as it stands, having a completely empty slot in my blog seems to add an element of interesting unexpectedness to the overall layout of the page. Thus after a great deal of conferring amongst myself, I've decided to leave it.

And for those of you that are concerned, a real update is pending. I promise. But we're still workin on that whole hi-speed intarweb thingy.

-Melissa "I Am the Fortunate" VandeVoorde

Awesome: I Miss My Music: Too Unfunny For A Real Post

The creative juices are definitely not flowing at the moment... hopefully things will pick up soon, but my brain is probably fried from my latest seminar, and I'm still trying to figure out when I can get access to high-speed internet and a good hard drive.

In the meantime, this is fairly awesome.

-Melissa "Quit Obfuscating the Question" VandeVoorde

Survival of the Fittest

Darwin posited (not altogether inaccurately) that the ability to adapt would allow for a greater survival rate of a given species. This standard is especially applicable in the case of college students. We, as a not-yet-endangered species, must cultivate our abilities to cope with mass amounts of sleep deprivation, unhealthy eating habits, myopic reading and computer usage, all while braving winter weather conditions; in short, sacrificing ourselves to the elements to pursue the legend that is HIGHER EDUCATION.

That being said, there are several other changes that occur in the meantime; this blog's template is one of those changes. You like? I think I may continue with the experimentation- this might just be too much blue for me, which heretofore I would have thought impossible.

So, kids, how is school/work going? Are we surviving outside of the bubble?

A Yup of a Different Color

Yup.

So... classes just started yesterday at Orchard Lake, and I've talked to a couple people from Ave about school starting. It seems that none of our schools are, in fact, Ave. Go figure.

Of all of us though, I'd say I'm pretty lucky. Not only are my teachers orthodox, but they also don't demand a pound of flesh stapled to the top of each of the papers we turn in. I might actually be able to DO all of my homework this semester. Weird, eh?

I also found a girl (a sophomore) who, in addition to being in three of my classes, has also been here longer than me and we're helping each other figure things out in the strange world of college-dom. Haven't met tons of people yet, but that's the sort of thing that happens when nobody but seminarians live on campus. That, and there's only been 2 classes so far. And the second consists of me and the sophomore girl (which has been turned into an independent study). Oh well- I hold out hope that there will be more than 7 students in attendance in my Seminar later today. In another perspective, I find it rather refreshing to go through actual beaurocratic red tape in order to get something done around here. It's like I'm accredited or something.

I'm living with Justin's parents in White Lake, which has been cool so far (although I've only been there a couple of days). They said they were going to use my first month's rent toward getting a TV for the front room, so I can watch it whenever I need to veg after studying too hard. I think spending the money of me kind of defeats the purpose of me giving it to them in the first place, but I'm sure I won't complain : ). I haven't worked myself up to the challenge of organizing my multidudinous papers and handouts for reference during the school year, but I HAVE got my room in some semblance of order, and possibly more importantly, a lock on the door so I can keep myself barracaded from a certain 5-year-old and 3-year-old for studying purposes.

Keep your eyes peeled for a car for me (yes, even if you're in Texas!) so I can use my own car instead of Justin's mom's sometime soon.

-Melissa "If You Have Syphilis You Don't Need LSD" VandeVoorde

Does Anybody Want To Go To Abe's?

No really. I got this sudden craving for Abe's, probably because I just started getting hungry, but I don't want to cook anything. And the knowledge that I can't just go to bed and wait until morning is getting to me as well, since I'll be up quite late packing. Probably the fact that I'm leaving tomorrow for school and Abe's will no longer be readily accessible has something to do with it too, although I do understand that the quality of food leaves something to be desired. One does not go for the quality of food or drink, but the quality of company and amusement of the other customers who frequent it.

Anyway, I guess I'll console myself by eating some mint chocolate chip ice cream and realize again later that I need something more substantial, and end up making myself eggs and bagels or something like that.

So, this is my "farewell" message. Ironic, considering that once I get to school I will have high-speed internet access and will be blogging with more frequency. And more pictures. But the fact remains that I'm going to be living almost an hour away and won't be around to see anybody except for the occasional weekend. Maybe this cell phone thing really will come in handy.

Anyway, this will serve as a reminder for everybody to keep in touch; either call me or e-mail me- somebody you know has the number or address. :-)

-Melissa "How about some ninja assasins?" VandeVoorde

2 Days: 10 Days: I Don't Know What Day It Is

No, seriously. I don't. Nor do I intend to worry about it.

But really, you have to admit- this follow-up two days after my last post has to be a record for the inactivity we've all experienced on SuperKarateMonkeyDeathCar over the summer. Yay me.

Well, as we all know and have probably been in denial about, the crew is finally breaking up to go back to school or on to other things. Moussolini is in Texas; Milosevic is going home tomorrow for a brief sojourn, then is on to Texas; Kalashnikov leaves for Texas in 10 days; her brother leaves for Texas around that time as well.... hmmm. It seems to me that this is not so much a "breakup" as it is a "fleeing for the hills" (in a manner of speaking. I doubt there are really many hills to be spoken of in Texas, and those that ARE present are not particularly noteworthy). It's like we won at the Alamo or something.

Just kidding.

Anyway, we just had a party over at Meghan's to celebrate her departure. I probably didn't say that right. But you get what I mean. Lots of game-playing, competition, and team angst all around. Good times.

However, remembering all these early departure times has made ME a bit angsty about when I'm supposed to be leaving; this is primarily due to the fact that the school year fast approaches and I am in a continual state of not having a clue what day it is. My point is, I might have to leave tomorrow, but I wouldn't know because dates are meaningless to me throughout the summer. Something should be done to rectify this situation.

My proposition is, that I take a shower because I can't shake the dubious feeling that I carry the smell of the skunk that was recently run over on I-94, between the Jackson Rd. and Zeeb Rd. exits. No, I was NOT the one to run the skunk over. But I definitely passed in close proximity, and anyone who knows me knows that I have a ridiculously strong sense of smell, especially late at night. Yep, shower it is.

Nighty night, folks!
-Melissa "Skunks Sometimes Do Handstands" VandeVoorde

Manifesto: White Wedding: Death Approaches

...and with it, comes the school year. Brief show of hands: who still has tons to do in preparation for school this fall? ... Yes, that's what I thought. But this school year may bring what it has never brought before: a car. Won't that be exciting? Now, I'm not saying I can actually afford to use a car, gas prices and Middle Eastern conflicts being what they are; but at least I have the option open to me this time. All the same, I still have to get my registration, orientation, and living places completely arranged in the next couple of weeks.

With all of this planning going on, wedding plans are progressing steadily as well. We've got the dress, we're working on reception halls and catering, and still have to figure out when we'll have the time to take all the classes required for marriage prep. We'll see how it goes- at least our sponsor couple (The Cousino's) are way awesome.

In unrelated news, the dictators and I have managed to gather all of us together before everybody goes their separate ways. This, as you may expect, resulted in none too few raised voices, fists of anger, and all-around crimes against humanity. But it also resulted in something that none would suspect: a rough draft of our dictatorial constitution, complete with mission statement and several amendments. I think, given our status as high-ranking officials with anti-cultural bents, we should relabel the constitution The Manifesto. A final draft will be available soon, most likely as a warning to all those who cross our path. Also, we bid a warm welcome to Natalie and Joe, who have joined us as Rasputin and either Genghis Khan or Mao Tse Tung. We haven't quite decided yet.

Anyway, my computer does not have the wherewithal to put up with me searching for links for this post, which I promise will improve with the school year. I hope. If not, I will find a white flag of surrender and offer myself up as defeated by dial-up.

-Melissa "A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking" VandeVoorde

So... how's your summer been?

This summer... not exactly my favorite thus far. As I'm sure most of you know, jobs are somewhat scarce. Speaking of, Brigid- we need to write me a resume. So due to economic stresses, I've been working for Justin's friend Jimmy, cleaning the State Theater downtown. Cleaning isn't a bad job, and I'm generally of the opinion that even menial jobs are a service to someone and therefore worthwhile. However, having been doing cleaning jobs consistently ever since I've started working over the past few years, I have to say that I really need to find another area of expertise. Janitorial does not really look impressive on a resume for somebody interested in a teaching position; it doesn't provide me with a mental challenge on a day-to-day basis; and really, it won't provide me with enough of an income to provide me with financial stability. So I guess what I'm saying is- I need another job. Any ideas?

Other than that, things have been going fairly normally. I've got a few projects I'm working on, like a book I'm slowly but surely writing, some artwork for Socceresque, the perpetual room-cleaning, looking into my senior Thesis, and of course wedding plans. So I'm managing to keep pretty busy, even with work only going on twice a week.

The wedding is set for June 16, 2007 at Christ the King in Ann Arbor. Feel free to come, although Justin and I hope you understand that we'd love everybody's company at the ceremony and reception, but we can't afford to feed anybody. I think our rule is going to be "drop in for some dancing and good company, but don't expect to get food or a seat at a table if you didn't RSVP." We also just started our marriage prep meetings with our sponsor couple, and the other classes are in the works. We'll keep you updated.

Also- Justin and I just got a cell phone plan together- so I'm actually accessible now. Weee. Although I must say I'm not much of a phone person anyway, so don't expect too many changes in that regard. :-) But call me if you want to make any plans.

Hope this satisfies the need for an update, and keep in touch everybody!

So It Goes Like This...

I need to go to bed right now if I'm going to be worth anything tomorrow...

My plan was to update when Justin and I got our date set (which was supposed to happen last week sometime) but it hasn't happened yet. But FYI, it might be moved to this December instead of next summer, depending on what happens. Anyway, I'll probably be up late tomorrow night, so I'll update way better then.

Hope this appeases the masses for the time being. :-)

Two Names You Go By:
1. Missy
2. Thing 2
Two Parts of Your Heritage:
1. Belgian
2. Scotch-Irish
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Contacts
2. Green belt (with a pear on it, no less)
Two Things You Would Want in a Relationship:
1. Hilarity
2. Sincerity (They Rhyme!)
Two of Your Favorite Hobbies:
1. Sketching
2. Watching Kung Fu
Two Things You Want Really Badly At The Moment:
1. My new desk- it's over a day late, now
2. Some real, non-diet, non-off-brand Cherry Coke
Two pets you had/have:
1. Miss Kitty. She was a homeless ratty old cat who ran away sometime after I fed her a whole can of Mrs. Dash.
2. Peanut. The awesomest shorthaired miniature peanut-shaped dachsund ever.
Two people who will fill this out:
1. Monica
2. Brigid. Because I will force her to.
Two things you did last night:
1. Wasted Justin in Soul Calibur at Pinball Pete's
2. Knocked over my CD tower
Two Favorite Places to eat:
1. Joe's Crab Shack
2. Mongolian Barbeque
Two things you ate today:
1. Pasta
2. Cheese and crackers
Two people you Last Talked To:
1. Justin
2. My dad
Two Things You're doing tomorrow:
1. Rearranging furniture
2. Practicing for Jacob's wedding
Two longest car rides:
1. Cross-Country road trip with my fam in 1989 (we went all the way to California... and Mexico)
2. Through 5 different countries on the same bus in Europe. We switched buses when we got to England.
Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Easter
2. Thanksgiving

I'll probably give you a real update later, folks. Have a great night!

LOTR ~ Career Opportunities ~ On the Truck

I've spent a good unhealthy dosage of my time during the last couple weeks alternatively reading the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and watching the extended editions. And their special features. I'm getting the idea that I need to find more valuable ways of spending my time. Like finishing my unpacking. Or filling out more job applications. Or getting pumped for Pirates of the Carribean, coming out in July. Who wants to go see it with me?

Speaking of finishing my unpacking, my new computer desk is supposed to be arriving today. Which means I get to (finally) figure out where I want to arrange everything in my room, and set up my iMac, so I can spend more time... playing video games, instead of watching movies. Great.
I don't actually know what this is, but I found it on my computer, and I'm positive that I'm the one that saved it. If this doesn't make you guys want to never eat fish again, I don't know what will.

And if my boredom around here continues (i.e. if I don't hear back from some of these employers soon), don't be surprised to see something like this going up in your local police stations and 7-11's:

Can You See Me Now?

Definitely wishing I was here right now....

But anyway, it appears (on my computer at least) that the techinical difficulties are over for this blog. For probably the next five minutes.

No, I did not delete my blog. No, I did not change the template to be a blank page. No, it was not taken over and massacred by my significant other.

My blog is back on the radar! And I can post pictures! And add links (when I feel like it- you guys have no idea how much time it takes to find suitable picture links for these things). AND I have real stuff to update you about!

But that will have to wait for tomorrow, since I'm supposed to be productive right now.

Happy Summer!

Freedom, Almost: Blogger Stalking: Your Mom

So, you may have noticed that in the last few weeks I've been somewhat neglecting my blog.



Which is why I intend, now that the semester is over, to gently nurse it back to health. (Insert your own pet-smothering-with-over-enthusiasm joke here).



But first things first: Sleep.

The only man that rivals Justin

Oh, those Happy little Trees.

I Think I left My Dignity Over In the Corner Somewhere

You know you're in bad shape when you start thinking of ways to use what you learn in class against your professor. Namely, the nature of the Triune God- the three Persons live in an intimate communion. Man, being created in the image of God, experiences this same orientation toward community. It is therefore our obligation to ensure that this facet of the human personal life is nurtured, and should inform the professors that any homework assignments which interfere with the social life necessary to encourage community are superfluous and in fact improper to the dignity and calling of the human person.

You think that's bad, you should hear about my ideas for my other paper topics. (Anthropology- The salvific nature of human suffering; Sacraments- the development of Catholic teaching on marriage, or the complimentarity of the sexes. I think the complimentarity thing is more of a thesis than anything else, though....)

Anyway, I've come to the recent conclusion that I've got more of the fight of the Fight Or Flight syndrome in me than otherwise. Why, do you ask? Because while I can let things slide all the time, deeming them not worth the effort, the second the shit hits the fan, I'm out there trying to figure out which wire to cut in the fan. Weird analogy, I know- but hey, it's first thing in the morning here. It's not like I'm more productive in class this time of day.

By the way, Emily- hope you have a great day too!

Four Eyes: Elitism: Open Season

So, as I sit next to Corwin in the computer lab, smelling like something similar to a wet dog, it occurs to be that I have not updated in ... a while. And far be it from me to ignore the creative and dramatic outcries of my devoted fans, purely to appease my own desire to veg in front of my Mac playing Super Mario World.

By the way, in keeping with Super Mario, this is a great song.

This is turning out to be (as Corwin would say) the Spring Break... OF DOOM!!!! Promptly on Monday night, my Lymph glands decided to inflate like balloons and my sinuses tried to suffocate me while I slept. I haven't even been able to wear my contacts without my eyeballs trying to secede from the union. I'm not trying to point fingers or anything, but given the flu-like symptoms demonstrated by my nephews, and the general propensity of children not to wash their hands, you can tell where my suspicions lay. As breaks go, this one is somewhat non-existent. I've got a paper due the first day after break, I haven't had time to do my reading for classes yet, and I've got 6 other papers due within the 6 weeks left of school. Yippee.

On that note, I've also figured out the essence that is Ave: Academic Elitism combined with Kindergarten Snack Time. The bizarre paradigm created by Father Roy and Suzanne Abdala, which in other circles might cancel each other out, join forces to mutate into a strange and mystical monster. Probably something like a minotaur. Or a goatface.

Later today (actually, in like a ten minutes) the fiance and I will be heading over to my parent's to do our taxes. Tax Season, for those of you not yet familiar with it, is that wonderful time of year in early Spring when our accountants and IRS agents hunt down the working masses and use them as target practice. Weeee!

Eucharistic?: Brain Aneurisms: Kinsey V. Freud

So, having spent an unusually large portion of the weekend with my family (a raucous birthday party and Sunday mass- which is alot for me) I came away with the feeling that yes, I do in fact have the blessing of a non-dysfunctional family. Not that we don't have our quirks, to which Justin has often been exposed. But it's a healthy weirdness. We spent the majority of the party playing card games and reminiscing about the good ol' days- like when Phil stole the car (repeatedly), Katie ruling the house with an Iron Fist, and me stealing Jenny's cigarettes when I decided I didn't approve of smoking.

And what's more, our weirdness is being passed on to the future generations- as demonstrated perfectly by my nephews. TJ is now learning to read and write; he can put letters together to form words. The first word he came up with? Rum. Yes, Rum. And he proceeded to pretend he was drinking Rum at the party, which culminated in him staggering around and acting drunk. I'm still not quite sure where he learned this from (oh, the corruption of today's youth- it comes from too many pirate movies, i'm sure) but nevertheless, we had to explain to him that drinking too much is not something to joke about.
Ian (who is only 3) is still at a more innocent stage, wherein he says things that seem bizarre but must make sense in his still developing mind- things like, during the Consecration in Mass, "I'm too young to kneel!" which cause us too look at each other over his head, and become bemused at what should be expected from young children during the Mass.

Anyway, in addition to the fun and games of this weekend, I've been having a jolly good (read: boring) time doing my extensive reading for my theology classes. We've got midterms coming up. Not that this causes our professors to cut down on our workload. We've still got as many assignments as ever, but we're expected to take even more time to study during the next two weeks. I'm convinced that this could not be accomplished unless we implement my patented plan for the 30-Hour-Day. But at least I can rest secure in the knowledge that I'm not being indoctrinated with false principles, which is more than I could say if I were doing the same workload at just about any other college. Woo for Orthodoxy! And also, where could I get fabulous quotes from my professors to keep me entertained during the 3-Hour class time?

And finally a question: In a death match between Sigmund Freud and Alfred Kinsey, who would win? And more importantly, if either of them were to die, would we care?

Copyright Infringement: Quadcumque: Engrish?

So... I guess... blogger hates me now. After working swiftly and adeptly on a new update, my blog spontaneously decided to screw with my html, thereby deleting sporadic phrases within my post. Pretty much the only thing that worked as it should was my title, the pattern of which was in fact stolen from Corwin. Whatev.

So, to make up for my lack of postage (39 cents my butt!) here's a few Engrish links that might have made it into my blog if I'd been able to post it. But don't worry, the real update is coming as soon as my motivation increases in reverse proportion to my despair at the lack of fruition of my effort. :-)

http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=toiletwash.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-03-03


http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=incas.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-03-10

http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=pachinko.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-03-11


http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=lifewithcreap.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-05-13


http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=sticktocoffee.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-06-27

http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=freak.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-09-01

The Illustrious Fightgar: Past, Present, and Future

Once upon a time, there was a family VonBuelow.

The VonBuelows, in traditional Catholic family fashion, decided to have enough children to take over and eventually populate a small country. And in order to make it seem as though they already had enough men to populate the country, the parents gave each of their sons seven names.

The one which concerns us today is **deep breath** Roland Theodor Dominic Niklot Bernhard Edward Pepin VonBuelow, younger brother to the lovable Jaspar Friedrich Joseph Peter Howard Werner Hartwig and Carl Andreas Christian Ernst Bodo Alexander Johann (otherwise known as Twinz), and older brother to such enjoyable characters as Josef Albert Augustin Wolfram Georg Otto Leopold, Stefan Alan Waldemar Anton French Wilhelm Raphael, Johannes Franz Paul Hubertus Eric Justin Michael, and Francesco Eric Christopher Marcus Gottfried Gabriel James.

Now aren't you jealous?

Anyway, Pepin, in his stellarly amazing ways, has gone on to excel in the military, dancing, breaking people's limbs off, playing computer games, harassing younger siblings, eating dinner, and messing around with hazardous members of the animal kingdom.

What more is there to live for? Like, other than dinner at the Von Buelow house?

(::)

-Melissa "Not Quite An Enfield" VandeVoorde

That Old Post That Noone Looks At Anymore

So- I couldn't find the original picture from that March For Life link a couple posts ago, but these kids are almost as cute as the first one, albeit without the meaningful quote from Mother Teresa underneath it. Ahh well, can't win 'em all I suppose.

Coming Soon: Seven Names For Seven Brothers. Or something like it.

So.. I Was About to Blog, When...

I realized that I should be heading over to the cafeteria for dinner.

Hopefully update later tonight, when I'll be working on my papers due next week. Yippee!

By the way, come to the Fedoryka's tonight to read Deus Caritas Est!

Poo.

It appears that some of my links aren't working the way I planned- I'll fix it when I get a chance, just pretend like you never saw it.

In the meantime, enjoy this nifty little article. If you've never read The DaVinci Code, don't bother buying it, I don't want Dan Brown to get more royalties. Just borrow it from me or the library or something so you can be informed about the idiocy that gets published around here.

"Sneer Quotes"

So in this lovely little college where I'm taking nothing but theology classes- I've learned probably... a few things... in class over the last week or so. Like, for instance, how Tertullian easily slipped into a heretical sect in his later career, and eventually got SO good at it, that he split off into his very own sect of Tertullianism.

Would that I could have such lofty goals.

But the recurring theme in my classes (probably a result of having Dr. VanSlyke for 3 of my classes) is the proper care and feeding of Sneer Quotes. No seriously. He talked about it in all three classes. Whatev.

Anyway, most exciting thing in the last week? March For Life. We got free T-shirts. And lobbied at our senators. Oh, and there's that whole standing up for the dignity of human life thing. : )

Gotta get crack-a-lackin on my homework (writing assignment on the Apostolic Tradition due tomorrow morning. woo!) so I'm off for now.

Thanks to Justin for the use of his laptop in this endeavor.

My Eyeballs Hurt

Well, they do.
I am having a bad day. Don't ask me why, because I don't know- I am just currently experiencing one of those inexplicably bad moods. And of course, I consequently act like a jerk and am unrepentant for it. Don't worry- I realize I'm acting like a total brat, and that I shouldn't be. I'm trying to cut it out.

So when all else fails to cheer me up, I do it myself. And you know what cheers me up the most? Discount hormone prescriptions available online!!!

Well, these are pretty good too.

But I like them alot too. Mostly the guy in the middle there.

K, time for bed- hope you were as amused as I was, and I promise the next post will be happier!

Back In the Saddle Again

more updates as the semester progresses- or at least gets funnier (-looking!).