This past week, I was on spring break. I was lazy and not productive. Too bad for that schedule of school work I was going to do! But I needed this week! School is super stressful and this was a good relax.
Good and bad, we're in the homestretch of the school year. Yay for having a little over a month to go! Boo for the 12 page paper and 25 source annotated bibliography that I have to do. I'm praying for another snow day tomorrow so my exam gets pushed back.
I've gotten to spend time with my family, which is greatly appreciated now that we're all busy with work, school, overtime, and 2nd jobs. My mom and I spent all day Monday together shopping and I cooked dinner for my dad on Tuesday.
But the best part of spring break was laying around in my pjs doing nothing at all! Being lazy is what I do best. Haha, but really, I did clean my room (gasp!) and did laundry. I was helpful!
Oh well, back to the daily grind tomorrow! I hope you have a good spring break, and I hope its better than mine weather wise.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Driving
A quick follow up to my last post, yesterday (Wednesday, March 13, 2013), a new Pope was chosen! Pope Francis. This is a very big deal, as he is the first non-European (since the middle ages) and the first Jesuit Pope. He is man of the people, and he is expected to show a new face of the Catholic Church.
On to my next post, driving. Once we hit the sweet age of 16, everyone pretty much drives. I know there are some exceptions, but to most, driving is an everyday occurrence. Many teenagers see driving as the big right of passage, an exiting thing that will once-and-for-all finally get them some freedom. I....was the opposite. I saw driving as a necessity that I'd eventually have to do. After all, I didn't get my license until I had an actual need to.
Now, driving has changed somewhat for me. I commute to school, so I use it as time to just be by myself, to think about my day, listen to music, and sing as loud as my off-key heart desires. I also use the time to critique others driving and comment on it.
Yes, I know they don't hear me.
And yes, I might have a slight case of road rage.
Driving seems to bring the worst out in me. I get angry, I curse, hit the steering wheel, and yell. I know I'm not the best driver in the world, but somethings irritate. Not using turn signals is a biggie. Or like last week, when an old man races you and cuts you off. And my favorite, when there is construction, and you need to get over into one lane, so everyone does so nicely, until you have that one person who thinks they're so important that they need to cut to the front....And someone lets them in!!!
Sorry for the rant.
Anyways, if you got a driving pet peeve what is it?
Ashley
On to my next post, driving. Once we hit the sweet age of 16, everyone pretty much drives. I know there are some exceptions, but to most, driving is an everyday occurrence. Many teenagers see driving as the big right of passage, an exiting thing that will once-and-for-all finally get them some freedom. I....was the opposite. I saw driving as a necessity that I'd eventually have to do. After all, I didn't get my license until I had an actual need to.
Now, driving has changed somewhat for me. I commute to school, so I use it as time to just be by myself, to think about my day, listen to music, and sing as loud as my off-key heart desires. I also use the time to critique others driving and comment on it.
Yes, I know they don't hear me.
And yes, I might have a slight case of road rage.
Driving seems to bring the worst out in me. I get angry, I curse, hit the steering wheel, and yell. I know I'm not the best driver in the world, but somethings irritate. Not using turn signals is a biggie. Or like last week, when an old man races you and cuts you off. And my favorite, when there is construction, and you need to get over into one lane, so everyone does so nicely, until you have that one person who thinks they're so important that they need to cut to the front....And someone lets them in!!!
Sorry for the rant.
Anyways, if you got a driving pet peeve what is it?
Ashley
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
The Catholic Super Bowl
This time of year is a big time for us Catholics. It is lent, the 40 days and 40 nights before Easter. But right now is also a big thing: choosing a new pope. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. The last Pope was elected about 8 years or so ago.
But he is not elected like how we elect our president. All of the Cardinals who under the age of 80 vote for the Pope. This year there are 115 Cardinals that are voting. The whole group goes into the conclave (fancy word for having a meeting) and this is held in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The same Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo.
This is where things get fancy and secretive. Everyone who goes in, does not come out until a new Pope is elected. No information is allowed in or out. The fanciness comes in the way of letting the people know there is a new Pope. There is a furnace installed where all of the votes are burned after being tallied. Black smoke means there is no decision. White smoke means that there is a new Pope.
What makes this occasion so important right now?? If you have not seen the world news lately, our last Pope, Benedict, resigned. He was the first Pope to resign in 600 years! The position of being the Pope is a lifetime job, it is held until death, unless of course they resign.
The new Pope, once elected, doesn't get to go home and pack up either. I heard on ABC news that since he is already in Vatican City, he stays there. Now I don't know if he gets his things sent to him of whatever, I'm sure he does.
There are several American Cardinals in the 115, and some of them are in consideration for being the Pope. There has never been an American Pope, most are of European descent. I think that if an American Cardinal is elected Pope, it could bring new ideas into the centuries old Church.
One Cardinal believes that Priests should be allowed to marry, as many men are scared away of being a Priest because they cannot marry and have a family. Another Cardinal, I believe, thinks that women should be allowed to become Priests instead of Nuns. I'm not sure if these ideas come from the American Cardinals, but they can be influenced by these ideas, and use them during their reign as Pope.
I know that was a lot to read, but I hope you learned something new!
Thanks,
Ashley
But he is not elected like how we elect our president. All of the Cardinals who under the age of 80 vote for the Pope. This year there are 115 Cardinals that are voting. The whole group goes into the conclave (fancy word for having a meeting) and this is held in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The same Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo.
This is where things get fancy and secretive. Everyone who goes in, does not come out until a new Pope is elected. No information is allowed in or out. The fanciness comes in the way of letting the people know there is a new Pope. There is a furnace installed where all of the votes are burned after being tallied. Black smoke means there is no decision. White smoke means that there is a new Pope.
What makes this occasion so important right now?? If you have not seen the world news lately, our last Pope, Benedict, resigned. He was the first Pope to resign in 600 years! The position of being the Pope is a lifetime job, it is held until death, unless of course they resign.
The new Pope, once elected, doesn't get to go home and pack up either. I heard on ABC news that since he is already in Vatican City, he stays there. Now I don't know if he gets his things sent to him of whatever, I'm sure he does.
There are several American Cardinals in the 115, and some of them are in consideration for being the Pope. There has never been an American Pope, most are of European descent. I think that if an American Cardinal is elected Pope, it could bring new ideas into the centuries old Church.
One Cardinal believes that Priests should be allowed to marry, as many men are scared away of being a Priest because they cannot marry and have a family. Another Cardinal, I believe, thinks that women should be allowed to become Priests instead of Nuns. I'm not sure if these ideas come from the American Cardinals, but they can be influenced by these ideas, and use them during their reign as Pope.
I know that was a lot to read, but I hope you learned something new!
Thanks,
Ashley
Start Over
I created this blog a year ago for a class, when I was an education major. Now, I am a Communication major, but still keeping my love of history going by going for a history minor. So I decided to scrap all of the old posts and start fresh! I'm going to make a commitment to myself to keep this blog going, I'll think of it as my second thing that I'm doing for lent (I gave up pop/ caffeinated drinks and trying to be a healthier person). OK so maybe third!
The point of this blog I hope is just put my ideas and thoughts out there and to get some feedback. So if anyone is out there is willing to help, Thank You in advance! And if heaven forbid, if I ever get too boring for you, I'm sorry in advance!
Ashley :)
That's my dog, Paula. She say hi and welcome!!
The point of this blog I hope is just put my ideas and thoughts out there and to get some feedback. So if anyone is out there is willing to help, Thank You in advance! And if heaven forbid, if I ever get too boring for you, I'm sorry in advance!
Ashley :)
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