7 Quick Takes Friday (Now Saturday)

- 1 -

Alright, so it ISN'T friday anymore, but to me it is because I haven't gone to sleep and I still have 25 minutes of Anne of Green Gables The Sequel to watch. That to me warrants this irresponsible conduct, despite the fact that two of my good friends are tying the knot tomorrow.

(I'm afraid I don't know who designed this little quote. 

It's very lovely both in form and content!)

- 2 - 

Oi, it has been the weirdest week. Most of the editing of my book went on this week and it felt like the limbs of my child were being taken by woodland elves. My limbless child is now at least readable for the age group intended and I'm sure in a month or two it really won't seem so bad. But most of my lovely similes and metaphors are now a thing of the past. This being my first book I shouldn't complain, but here I am complaining.

- 3 -

I've also been indulging in lattes and Jane Austen inspired literature. Not to mention sunshine and all the pretty light tricks it does with the tree leaves, it makes for very nice runs.

This beautiful poster design was made my Kristen Smith! 

To find out more about her designs go to link

- 4 -

My prayer life... I've been getting to daily Mass surprisingly often and praying the Rosary oftener still. Daily Mass is one of those gifts that sustains you in such a miraculous way. In my own human insanity I forget that when I am lukewarm. Then when I start up the practice again and I find myself in that intimate setting with Jesus I am so grateful I took the time out to go! All the spiritual food that brings you back to sanity is there, including Jesus himself saying, "You are mine!"

- 5 -

Oh! look I have a new header. The next few months will bring many changes to the blog, so that when my book is out it will be nestled here comfortably. Also, please buy it when it does come out :)

 (very deep Jim Rohn, very deep)

- 6 -

And heck, I forgot to tell you all that I met Lino Rulli at World Youth Day in Rio. Here's a link to the his HI-larious talk show. LINO RULLI

He also wrote this book that I listened to on audio book. 

What a humble guy. 

I'd never have the guts to write about all of my failings and then ask other to read about them!

- 7 -

And here is my favorite resource for a daily quotation/excerpt from the writings of St. Francis de Sales.

St. Francis de Sales Daily

~

I clearly need to get some art on this blog. Once I get it together there will be soooo much of it! Be ready!

7 Quick Takes Friday (Summa Time)

- 1 -

Hello Summer! It's hot and sticky and wonderful despite it! I will now inundate you with links and things!

First off 1Flesh.org is up and running, so follow this link for awesome tips on Natural Family Planning. Bring Sexy Back!

- 2 -

Fr. Robert Barron talks about "Love and Responsibility"

- 3 -

Fr. Robert Barron talks about Marriage.

- 4 -

Read some of Tristan Macdonald's beautiful poetry, inspired mainly by the Catholic faith (but also sometimes by Star Wars.)

Poetry!

- 5 -

A drawing a did for the cover of a cd mix.

- 6 -

Your 20s are NOT the new 30s

TED Talk!

- 7 -
I will hear about The Book in just a few weeks! But not before I leave for Brazil!

hugs,
Fabi

7 Quick Takes Friday: The Stress Level Edition

- 1 -

Hello all! And welcome to my stress level, currently a jittery 8.5 (out of 10), platform: Hyper Aware.

God is so good to this naive working girl, who has a tendency to say yes and yes and yes to all that want pretty arty things and coffee dates, that He pointed out a scheduling conflict by ways of a friend I bumped into today.

"Hi, A, fancy seeing you here at this cafe so close to our homes. We never bump into each other here!" said I.

"How true! And we'll see you for dinner tomorrow night!"

Now do I want hot tea? Cold tea?... Wait...

"What? I thought that was tonight."

My voice is level, but inside... No, no, I have dinner with my BFF tomorrow and I can't cancel, and then there's the logo and the book and the lawyer and the trip to Mexico in a week... Mild Panic.

"Well, thank God (really thank God) that I bumped into you, otherwise I would have arrived at your doorstep tonight (squeaky clean and coiffured). Guess I"ll have to move some things around. Take care!"

- 2 -

I agreed to work on a logo, for a small pay, for a ministry I love... warning paying party that I only work in Photoshop... but really I've been slowly coaxed into to just learning Illustrator on a very short deadline. I love this ministry so I don't want to give them less than my best, and if it were the only thing I had to work on life would be grand...

- 3 -

But I also have to meet with a lawyer ASAP, to look at a contract I got sent by an agency to make sure it's kosher, and well... to do the thing a responsible adult would do...

- 4 -

And then there is a personal goal of mine which is to send out a my children's book to a publisher I love before I leave to Mexico... I am determined to send it...

- 5 -

Mexico, did I mention that? My lovely cousin is getting married and I am going to Guadalajara for a week so there is a whole list of to dos. I need to get all of everything done above before I get to this. I am determined.

- 6 -

I refuse to look at the rest of my check list.

- 7 -

Thank you God that this is the extent of my "problems." Thank you audience for listening to me. Stress Level: 5.5 Platform: Deep Breaths.

I wish I had some art to show you interwebs. Perhaps in good old Mexico I will be able to do some personal work.

Hugs and Good Luck to all.

(Update: Okay I looked at my check list... See you on the other side...) Here is the picture of my kitty companion, who keeps me on task.

Seven Quick Takes Friday (vol. 20)

- 1 -

Baby's First Sewing Project

I am at a stage in life where I love learning new skills. It's thrilling! Today, it's snowing like mad and the wind is slashing at an angle that gets you straight in the eye, but I refused to cancel my first sewing class. There is this lovely little place on Hope St. in Providence, RI called Kreatelier and their sewing classes are very flexible and catered to everyone's level. My level being zero, I decided to go one on one the first time. I made a pencil pouch, and although the inside fabric shrunk a little when I ironed it, it turned out pretty darn cute. The bright, flowery yellow fabric reminds me of something my mami would have worn when she was a teenager.

 - 2 -

When Papa E Beni XVI announced he was renouncing his title as Bishop of Rome, my first thought was, "No! I still haven't read any of your books!" I'd read a few of his encyclicals but I have a number of books by him on my shelves that have gathered fine dust. So that night, after learning the news, I picked up The Joy of Knowing Christ, a collection of his meditations on the Gospels, and I finished the little book a day or two after he left Rome. 

I recommend this collection because the ideas and thoughts put forth, though deep, are written in a simple and clear manner, and I was consistently surprised and delighted by his reflections. 

- 3 -

Some of the first promotional images for Catching Fire have just been released. Here are a few. Get excited.

 - 4 -

A beautiful quote by St. Francis de Sales:

"My past no longer concerns me. It belongs to divine mercy. My future does not yet concern me. It belongs to divine providence. What challenges me is today, which belongs to God's grace and to the devotion of my heart and my good will."

- 5 -

My friend L and I threw a St. Valentine's day party for a bunch of our girlfriends. I thought it'd be cute to incorporate the joy of sainthood in some way so I made "Saint Date" cards. Each girl would pick one, and then we'd go around the room to reveal what (male) saint they got, presumably so by their example and prayer we would each grow holier. Intentionally, I tried to search for photographs or paintings depicting each saint when they were young and surprising, usually, handsome! (Padre Pio had some very interesting facial hair going on at sixteen). I don't think boys will ever get why this was so fun, but we had a blast. 

 - 6 -

A couple of days ago I went to Cambridge to listen to a band, Brother Sam Slideshow, started by some acquaintances of mine. They are phenomenal, my favorite band showcased that night. You can listen to a couple of their songs below. Love is Real is lovely.

https://soundcloud.com/brother-sam-slideshow

- 7 -

In other news, I've sent seven query letter to agents regarding my book. I think I'm going to send a few more before I start bugging publishers. The waiting period to hear back is ridiculously long, but I suppose patience in 'our click to find bliss' society, is a good thing. I drew some doodles in my spare time.

Heart,

Fabi

~
Seven Quick Takes is hosted by Jennifer Fulwiler @ Conversion Diary

7 Quick Takes Friday (The New New Look)

New Header Yaaay!

- 1 -

Hi! Thanks for dropping by this Friday! I'm working from home right now and these are the perks so far:

1) I can take my longest break of the day when it's the nicest out. When the sun is hitting the trees just right and all the coffee shops are still open!

2) Background entertainment!

3) I can go hug Toulie (my cat) and chase him or throw him up in the air. Sometimes he joins me for dance parties.

4) Attire: Unless I'm doing some kind of Skype meeting I can wear anything! But I do feel better when I shower and wear nice clothes. The world doesn't know what I'm wearing, but I know.

And these are the downers:

1) OMG, where are all the humans???

2) It be ever so nice if someone else was paying for my insurance.

3) Nobody gets me out of bed but me.

4) Background entertainment! I've very quickly depleted all my prime options to a near nil. I'm going to have to face the quiet. It might be a good idea.

- 2 -

Gravity Falls! Please take advantage of your Disney Channel subscription and watch this 

brilliant-hilarious show.

- 3 -

Tinkerbell and the Secret of the Wings comes out THIS TUESDAY.

- 4 -

I can't decide for the life of me what to be for Halloween this year. Nani from Lilo and Stitch? Kiki from Kiki's Delivery Service? Or one of those Orca people in Ocean Girl, a reference nobody will get unless I meet an Australian who grew up in the 90s. Or maybe St. Lucy with her eyes on a plate; that will horrify people.
(Also getting an Australian accent right is ridiculously hard. Thanks youtube. No thanks.)

- 5 -

Here's Scott Hahn getting gushy about the Catechism. Gushhhhh.

- 6 -

Anybody have any tips on how to make yourself wake up early and like it? And least sort of like it?

- 7 -

I thought about making some cat comics but then I found this girl and decided it wasn't necessary.
Cat versus Human

~
Please Visit Jen at http://ConversionDiary.com

7 Quick Takes Friiiiiiday! (vol. 18)

- 1 -

How fantastic was last week's second reading? The emphasis is mine, but go ahead and do yourself a favor and read it and then read it again and then take it line by line and just sit.

James 3:16- 4:3

Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice. 
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

- 2 -

This is another beautiful passage that I found a when I was in Florida. 

Baruch 5:1-4

Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,
and put on for ever the beauty of the glory of God. 
Put on the robe of righteousness that comes from God;
put on the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;
for God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
For God will give you evermore the name,
'Righteous Peace, Godly Glory'.

- 3 -

I got invited to go to a Chesterton Society thingy by my friend M. So far she said it's just been her with some guys exchanging good quotes rather loudly at a pub. I'm in. I'll even drink the the beer. 

- 4 -

color studies! 

A girl with a thick neck we shall call Anne!

Me as a hero-girl-waterbender complete with hero body!

A black and white study I did for the 'Twelve Months' project. 

- 5 -

I think I peed my pants when I watched these two thing in a row. How can these things be happening all at once? IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE.

- 6 -

I'm learning this dance for a Flash Mob in Providence and it is sooo cool it involves SPIRIT FINGERS and I'm so excited like 12 year old. 

- 7 -

Please pray for me over the weekend and especially on Monday. A lot of things go down on Monday. There might be crying or laughing or slumping of shoulders. 

Skipidee doo dah. 

~

Please visit Jen whose hair is a nice shiny red @ Conversion Diary

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 17)

- 1 -

Catching Fire is filming in Atlanta!! Double reason to visit my parents!

- 2 -

I listened to Fulton Sheen's autobiography a second time so I thought I'd post some of his most famous quotes because I love him.

“It takes three to make love, not two: you, your spouse, and God. Without God people only succeed in bringing out the worst in one another. Lovers who have nothing else to do but love each other soon find there is nothing else. Without a central loyalty life is unfinished.” ― Fulton J. Sheen, Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons from Cana and Calvary

- 3 -

“We become like that which we love. If we love what is base, we become base; but if we love what is noble, we become noble.” ― Fulton J. Sheen, Life is Worth Living

 - 4 -

 “To tell a woman who is forty, "You look like sixteen," is boloney. The blarney way of saying it is 

 'Tell me how old you are, I should like to know at what age women are the most beautiful.'” ― Fulton J. Sheen

 - 5 -

 “A woman gets angry when a man denies his faults, because she knew them all along. His lying mocks her affection; it is the deceit that angers her more than the faults.” ― Fulton J. Sheen, Life is Worth Living

- 6 -

This SONG:

- 7 -

K! Bye!

~

Please visit Jen @ Conversion Diary

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 16)

Very, verily busy day.

I will try to give some cogent updates.

-1-

Recently, I had one of those days known by all humans at some point I hope — it consoles me to think so — where I just had an overwhelming disgust and disappointment in myself. Maybe that doesn't happen to you? Well, you must have transcended that temptation by the firmness in your foundation built on the knowledge that God loves The-Person-You-Are, even if you have not yet become The-Person-You-Ought-To-Be.

All these very nice truths were somewhere else while my view became smaller and smaller, darker and scarier. The-Person-God-Wants-Me-To-Be didn't seem all that great and rewarding. A friend called me "thoughtful." I thought, how horrible I'm "thoughtful." I want to be witty and dazzling and preeeeeetty. Nobody will love me and want me for being thoughtful. Nobody cares about being thoughtful. Apparently, it mattered to my friend, but I was too far gone in my muddled headspace. I've written about this battle within the mind to understand where true worth comes from before, so I'll spare you the coming back to sanity details. The only reason I'm mentioning this is that I've been reading a little bit about the philosophical writings JPII formulated on Humanism. During Vatican II he was trying to answer the world's major questions about the nature of the human person. He thought there was a intense need to fight against the widespread ideology that a person's worth was measured by how useful they are to me — utilitarianism— by demonstrating that a human being's value is intrinsic and God-given. And as I've said before, once one is free from trying to gain one's worth by being "useful" one is free to pursue truth and receive grace in order to become The-Person-I-Ought-To-Be and become a self-donating gift to God, Others and Yourself (which is pretty "useful" in the truest sense). Sometimes my vision is narrow, and I do not understand how I am supposed to make a gift of myself without loosing myself. I don't understand how that doesn't lead to misery. The idea of giving myself up entirely to God is terrifying, and he is perfect and awesome. But I know that this "giving" is not the kind of service often equated with Doormat Syndrome. It is much more radical than that. It is service that calls you to act in the most loving way in each circumstance of your life and that love can be manifested in many ways. It might call you to say No or Yes, to stay or to leave. The Image of Self-Gift is Our Lord: "It is in God the Holy Trinity, a "community" of self-giving "persons" who lose nothing of their uniqueness in their radical self-giving, that we see confirmed the Law of Gift and the truth about freedom as freedom-for-self donation." (Witness to Hope, WEIGEL, pg. 176). And it is in prayer that I hope He will teach me to know His Truth better and hopefully, help me become a Good Gift that bears His Love to others. Yay Hurray! To End:

The Love of God is the The Love that sets us free from fear in order to Love, to become true gifts to creation. In freedom we have the ability to seek and meet truth and become truly ourselves; deeply human and amazed by the Grace that animates us.

- 2 -

Hi! If you skipped that paragraph you have to work on your attention-span skills or I have to work on my ability to reach readers with my quasi-confusing reasoning :D Either way I'm happy you are still here! My cat, Toulouse is huge and sometimes I use him when I do squats.... it is very effective.

- 3 -

Anytime I take a trip somewhere I flirt with the city and tell it I will move there soon. But after I'm gone my flaky heart comes to the surface and my promise of forever becomes a maybe.

- 4 -

I was fresh out of ideas of what the heck to to write, when I remembered this anecdote Jason Evert tosses around in his talks and books: 

"In high school, I (Jason) knew I had met my soulmate. We went to a few dances together and I could envision myself with her forever. Today, she's married to a friend of mine. In college, I met a girl and never felt so strongly about a woman before. We dated... until she broke up with me and later married a friend of mine. Then, I met the girl I knew I was going to marry. We knew we were soulmates. We dated for years, talked about marriage, and even tried on wedding rings. But I broke up with her, and she —you guessed it— married a friend of mine. Then, I met another girl and absolutely knew in my heart that she was the one. We dated for years, and talked to her parents about marriage. But we didn't end up marrying. In case you are wondering, she also married a friend of mine... The reason I gave this litany of relationships is to prove that you can't judge the future of a relationship by the intensity of your emotions... Therefore, it is wise to reserve for marriage the forms of affection that belong to it."

- 5 -

This is a freebee since there have been TWO long updates.

- 6 -

This freelance thing is pretty great. If I want to go out and run right now I can!!!

- 7 -

Korra is NOT on Netflix anymore. Mad.

~
Please Visit Jen @ Conversion Diary

7 Quick Takes Friday (Events, Likeable Art & Hunger Games)

Hola Amigos! Listed below are a bunch of events happening soon around the country and since I can't go because they are far away you must go if you are near by and because I say so.

-1-

Fill These Hearts

Oct 26 -27 St. Paul, MN

Nov 17 Sylvania, OH

This one I've been to when it was in Rhode Island and it was pretty extraordinary.

-2-

Adore Ministries

Sept 5 - Oct 3 - Nov 7 Houston, TX

Ennie Hickman will be speaking there fyi and he's pretty cool. For more information please go here

-3-

If you are a Youth Minister...

NCCYM Converence

Nov 27-Dec 1 Orlando, Fl

-4-

Now I'm going to shamelessly promote Cory Heimenn at Likeable Art! Hire him!

-5-

Squee! Jump! Yay! Jump!

-6-

I hosted a Hunger Games Party a few days ago! 

where should I put these cupcakes????

President Snow wants you to eat the cupcakes and die.

-7-

No more to report. 

Please visit ConversionDiary.com

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol.14)

I couldn't decide what to focus on this week for this post so I decide to throw my hat and land in France.

- 1 -

"The sacred gift of prayer is held in the Savior's right hand; if you empty yourself, that is, if you are very humble, the Lord will communicate it to your heart. Be patient and walk with small steps, until you have legs for running or wings for flying. For the present, be satisfied to be simply a young bee in the hive, and soon you will become a bee producing honey. Humble yourself before God and neighbor, because God speaks to those who have their ears turned to Him. (Letters 1700; O. XIX, p. 332)"

- St. Francis de Sales, Holy Frenchman

St. Francis de Sales made an enormous impact on my life when I was in college. I read his most famous work "Introduction to the Devout Life" and in it I found a gentle and honest spiritual director who understood my heart better than I knew it. I found it very hard to lie about the real source of my actions with this book in hand. In his own life Francis was very brave, exposing himself to humiliation and failing for the sake of the Heart of Jesus.

- 2 -

I recommend French Women Don't Get Fat by: Mireille Guillard every so often on this blog because it's the only book on eating I ever needed to read (and then really only the intro and blurbs between recipes) because it changed my attitude towards food and I've never been tempted into a "diet" mentality again. No more frantic yo-yo dieting and work outs for me thank you. I also enjoy Mireille's approach to beauty and style because it's about embracing your personal beauty without a hint of trying to make your face or body look like someone else's. 

Mireille's website: http://frenchwomendontgetfat.com/content/pssst…posture

- 3 -

But my favorite quotes about prettiness are a couple of things Audrey Hepburn said who is not French, but she's beautiful!

"I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls."

and

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. "

- 4 -

Gobelins is an amazing art school located in Paris and Noisy-Le-Grand. They produce some of the most amazing student work out there! This is just one of the amazing shorts I've seen!

- 5 -

I took Toulouse to the vet this week because he needed to papers to fly out with me. Every time I take him in the vets swoon over his apparent handsomeness. They insisted on taking a picture of him and facebooking it.

Toulouse is a freeeeench name. It counts.

- 6 -

My 25th birthday was at a beautiful French restaurant in Boston. I highly recommend it and if you are on a tight budget the Brunch Menu is much more cost effective!

Link to Miel! 

- 7 -

“Raise your intention to God in all simplicity, detaching yourself from all disordered love or dislike of any creature, then you will be more apt to receive grace and more worthy to be given the gift of devotion. Where the Lord finds vessels empty, He fills them with His blessings”

-Thomas à Kempis, greatly beloved French Mystic who wrote The Imitation of Christ

 ~


Quick Takes is hosted by Jennifer at ConversionDiary

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 13)

Sooo I'm exhausted... but I'll share with you fun stuff from this week!

- 1 -

Dance Academy! Season two is on Netflix and it's an Australian show. It is much tamer than most American shows for teenagers. Give me Aussie accents and dance numbers any day.

- 2 -

So I've had this week to prepare for a talk I'm giving to a women's group at BU. Let's all pray that I don't botch it and send these girls into crises of faith. :) Prayers much appreciated. The topic is 

Holiness vs. Perfection, or more specifically the perfection God calls you to and the "perfection" the world pressures you into.

So the BU girls made the facebook event and they used this photo of Demi Lovato. I figured I would look it up to see where they got it from. Apparently she's started a campaign called "Love Speaks Louder than the Pressure to be Perfect" to help girls be relieved of the constant pressure they're under since she herself went through some rough times. Anyways, I wanted to make it clear to everyone that these are two separate things, and that no, Demi Lovato will not be making an appearance but another dark haired Latina will. 

- 3 -

The sun is out sometimes! For when it is:

- 4 -

This is a gorgeous video:

http://vimeo.com/36940265

- 5 -

Treasure in Clay is the autobiography of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. You know the Priest who had that hugely popular t.v. show Life is Worth Living. Well, his life kind of dazzled me. He words it so simply and yet it's ridiculously powerful. What a man. The audible version is great.

- 6 -

The Eucharistic Congress in Boston is this weekend! I have no idea who is speaking this year but it's been  an throughly wonderful experience each year, I even like it when during the procession all the people in the North End going about their Saturday night give us "Oh, those crazy Catholics" looks.

- 7 -

Bed time.

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol.10)

- 1 -

Happy Spring's A-Comin'

- 2 -

The movie Australia is underrated. Yes, it's ridiculously over the top but the humor of it makes it more enjoyable than most epic wannabe movies.

- 3 -

Bittersweet song:

- 4 -

Jesus call us to be gentle as doves AND wise as serpents. He calls us to use our heart AND mind. We are called to be deliriously joyful AND steadily sober. He calls us to a wholeness that cannot exist  while living in extremes but in extremes that walk hand in hand. 

- 5 -

Mini-points on why I think I like The Hunger Games. I have read better books certainly, with richer language and twists so here's just a few thoughts after listening to it on audio numerous times:

a) It's Practical: I've only listened to it in audio book format but the prose is so to the point that it's hard for me to get confused even if I'm focused on something else like drawing and cleaning dishes. I can't listen to Lord of the Rings while multitasking because I want to sit and immerse myself in the imagery. The HG gets to the point and doesn't often require you to ponder poetic descriptions. It's very snappy and certain passages have yet to get old.

b) It's for Girls: Not that the book can't be for boys too but it does capture female characters very well and so you can live through their ups and downs with them. Despite living in completely different circumstances Katniss's thoughts, feelings and personal experiences are very easy to relate to. I knew the author had to be female the moment she described what Katniss had to do to go through beauty base zero and the many details of the dresses she wore. It was a little overdone but she tied everything in well and you could tell she was letting herself have fun with those bits. I often describe this book as a less excellent version of Ender's Game for girls. 

c) The Characters: Suzanne Collins is very good at making you care about the characters and making even the less important players compelling in some ways. She gives just the right amount of detail and binds one character to another with effect dialogue. I say effective because sometimes I felt that her word choices got too repetitive. All in all I haven't been so devastated over deaths since Harry Potter. 

d) Unconditional Love: I don't know why it took me so long to realize this but unconditional love is everywhere in this series. Katniss would fight and die for her sister. Peeta would fight and die for Katniss. There are a lot of people risking their lives for each other, and it doesn't seem forced. In horrible, twisted circumstances people stand by the people they love and I think everyone hopes someone loves them like that and that they would be brave enough to do the same.  The book never really touches upon what the spirituality of these people is but this scripture verse came to mind: 'No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends' (John 15:15).

-6-

And I'm not worried about the movie disappointing me for a couple reasons. The book didn't necessarily describe things that would look good on screen, so I knew that the essence of any given passage would be the most important thing to keep. Moreover, if I don't like the movie I can just reread the book and picture it just the way I like. 

-7-

Thanks for all the feedback about cats! 

God Bless You All this Week!

Lent is the autumn of the spiritual life during which we gather fruit to keep us going for the rest of the year. Enrich yourselves with these treasures, which nobody can take away from you and which cannot be destroyed. I am accustomed to say that we will not spend Lent well unless we are determined to make the most of it. Let us, therefore, spend this Lent as if it were our last, and we will make it well. Listen to the sermons, because holy words are pearls; they are ships of infinite mercy - the true ocean of the East. (Letters 329; O. XIII, p. 144)
- St. Francis de Sales

~
http://www.conversiondiary.com

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 9)

-1-

I'm tired of slushy weather, it makes me feel slushy and sleepy. Bible study is cancelled so I jumped on the opportunity to write some quick takes. Maybe it'll wake me up.

-2-

So I never thought I'd ever want to own a cat. My thinking was they don't like people, so I don't want one because if you are going to take care of something they'd better want to be friends. So until a few weeks ago I was anti-cat girl. And then I started look up potential pets for very busy singles who might not be home all that often. Tiny little rodent things were out since you can't kiss them on their wee nosies since they carry diseases. And let's face it they're not that cuddly. A dog was never a possibility since they need to be walked all the time and will get depressed if left alone. So I googled "Friendliest Cats" and I was drawn to the description of Ragdolls. I still wasn't convinced however. I didn't know if having a cat was worth the stigma of 'Cat Lady' which will inevitably follow if I live alone and own a cat.  Hey, if Taylor Swift gets called that I don't know why I would be spared. She shared her love for her cat on the Ellen show and how her friends call her Crazy Cat Lady. She doesn't care. Clearly I should get all my life advice from Taylor and get a cat.

Ragdoll kitten

What I want to know is do you own a cat? Do you like your cat? Is it a pain in the butt to own a cat if your the only one responsible for it?

-3-

During Ballet I kept hearing the class next door play the coolest instrumental song and I couldn't figure out what it was. For weeks I ruminated about it until I just asked the girls in my class if anybody knew what it was....

It's a cover of Alejandro by Lady Gaga

.... Gah my life. I love that song.

Here it is:

-4-

Congratulations to my Little Sister who got into Grad School! Whoooo hoooo! I'm so proud!

This song is for her:

-5-

The song above is from Studio Ghibili's latest movie The Secret World of Arrietty. The lovelyness of the film took my breath away and I hope everyone watches it.

-6-
My dear friend, L got me this amazing necklace:

The Thistle is an emblem of Scotland! According to legend the Scotts were asleep, and unbeknownst to them their enemies were approaching. One fool of a foe stepped on some thistles with his bare feet and howled waking the Scotts up and giving them a great advantage and victory!

In Christianity the thistle is symbolic of the sufferings of Christ!

L also said something very nice to me about why she picked it for me! That part is mine ;)

-7-

There is a joy in the small things in life that I cannot comprehend but am so grateful for.  These small moments in a day can a timeless, where you and a thing of small but immeasurable beauty regard each other and it is like having a special secret all your own. Sometimes its a streak of light or a smell or a soft blanket around your shoulders or a smile. It's marvelous. Thank you God for all those things that make my life thick and rich.

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol.8)

-1-

This week I've collected a bunch of fun things that I've found for your enjoyment!
I started ready this fun and peppy online comic called Cucumber Quest. It's very entertaining and has some the most beautiful color work I have seen in a while. Enjoy!

http://cucumber.gigidigi.com/


-2-

In the same spirit is Bad Catholic's post Priest and Pokemon . It wholly encompasses one of the reasons I find being Catholic exciting and ever new! Not only because it's true but because it is a great adventure with many twists, turns and and new heights to explore!

-3-

Here's a fun image of Cinna (from the Hunger Games) and his staple gold eyeliner :




-4-

One of my most favorite explanations of Transubstantiation by Catholic Stuff You Should Know

-5-

My favorite site for Home Decor: Apartment Therapy


-6-

Want to have yummy food and stay trim?
Try the recipes in The French Women Don't Get Fat Cookbook

-7-
Curl up with this book when you are feeling young and nostalgic.
The Ordinary Princess

Have a lovely weekend!

love, love,

Fabi