Viva il Papa!

WE GOTTA POPE! And he is wonderful and amazing and his name is Francis and... ahh! Watching him come out of the window was amazing. Yesterday was truly one of the most amazing days of my life. I was able to watch him with my roommates, and then the three of us went to adoration and praise and worship to praise God for this blessing, and all his blessings.

Also, I lost 13 pounds. YEAH!

Can we just talk about how much it sucks to get up at 6:30 to go to the gym at 7? Cuz it does.

I did 15 minutes on the bike and 20 on the elliptical. Feeling good. I'm going to breakfast in a few, and I'm REALLY craving a blueberry muffin, but it's almost 10 WW points.

Ain't nobody got points for that!

So, hopefully I'll be able to stick with yogurt and a banana or something... and no peanut butter. :(

Also, the conclave begins today.

PRAY

Dieting sucks

Today I started Weight Watchers. I woke up with a great motivation: for breakfast I would have water, yogurt, a banana and peanut butter and an egg. I did just that, but with great disdain, I discovered that 3/4 oz of PB is FOUR WW POINTS (!!!!!) Why?! Also, I read this article that Apple Cider Vinegar helps you not only lose weight, but lose your acne too. So, I was like, "Oh, I'll just put some into my water. No big deal."

OH BIG DEAL HOLY CARPAL TUNNEL IT WAS DISGUSTING.

Yet I'll still be trying again. I don't know people.

Then I go to dinner and there's root beer and I just love root beer and my mind's all "Why waste your meal plan when you can get the biggest cup of soda?"

Stupid mind.

Anyway, I figured I'd try to chronicle my "adventures" of trying to diet in college. Let's see if I get up to go to the gym tomorrow. Ha.

I mean... I can do it?

Where was God?

If you're anything like me, on Friday December 14th, you stared in horror at the TV screen, praying that the news that twenty kids were dead was not true.

I'm pretty sure that was most of the country that day. Maybe it was made worse by the fact that I live 40 minutes away from Newtown and have friends there. Maybe it was made worse by following everyone on twitter.

All I know is that night, as I lay sleepless in bed, the same thing went through my head, over and over and over again, "Where was God? Why did He let this happen?"

The next day, people began talking about how it wouldn't have happened if "God was still allowed in schools". Maybe. Maybe if He was allowed in public schools, He would have stopped this...

But that doesn't sound like my God.

That's when I saw this quote by Mr. Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” 

That's when I realized that God was there all along. 

God was there in Victoria Soto, a young women who hid her class in closets and bravely faced the gunman, telling him that they were in the gym before being killed.

God was there in Kristen Roig, another teacher who squeezed her class into a bathroom, and promised them that they would see Christmas.

God was there in the first responders, who had to see 20 dead children while looking for survivors. Who in their own grief and awful feelings still told the surviving children to keep their eyes closed and hold on to each other. 

God was there in the principal and school psychiatrist, Mary Sherlach and Dawn Hochsprung, who ran out into the hallway to see what was going on.

God was there in Anne Marie Murphy, who's body was found shielding her students. 

God was there the whole time, and you know what? He wept with us as he took his helpers home. 

If I wasn't homeschooled...

• I probably wouldn't be involved with my youth group, thus not meeting the friends I have.
• I wouldn't have the love of reading I do now.
• I would not have the strong morals and values I do now.
• I probably would be doing something extremely different.
• I wouldn't have the relationship I have with my mom and sister.
• I wouldn't have met my best friend.
• Sex, drugs and alcohol would be playing a much bigger part.
• I'd probably be much more lost and confused.
• I wouldn't have the memories I cherish so much.
• I never would have been the Shakespeare nerd I am!
• I probably would never have looked at the Newman Guide and thus, never found my new school.
• I'd laugh at the kids who thought Disney was cool.
• I never would have gotten lost when I went to public school and then had my big reversion.
• I'd probably laugh at the Jesus freaks.
• I'd never have met some of my role models.
• I wouldn't be discerning a religious vocation.
• I probably would still be lost in self-harm. 
• I don't think I would be the Katie God meant me to be.

Just let me eat without having an ulterior political agenda!

In our day and age, it seems everybody and their mother has to make their stance on gay marriage public. Starbucks, and more recently, The Muppets and Oreos, have announced their support for same sex marriage. Even more recently, Chick-fil-A spoke of their support of traditional marriage.

I really hate this debate, because there are many people I know and love who are gay, and I want everybody to be happy. Are you ready for the truth? I don’t support gay marriage.

Some people are surprised, others aren’t. Some are Catholics who are nodding their head in agreement and some are ‘friends’ who are about to spew out about how I’m a brainwashed Catholic who can’t think for herself.

On the contrary, dear ‘friends’. When I was in eighth grade, I stood before the auxiliary bishop, taking the name Therese and being confirmed in the Catholic faith. I know a lot of people don’t take the sacrament of Confirmation very seriously, but I did, and I still do. Let’s look at the word: Confirmation.  According to dictionary.com, to confirm means to acknowledge with definite assurance. So, when you are confirmed in the Catholic faith, you are acknowledging with definite assurance that this is THE faith. 

I made the choice to be confirmed in the Catholic faith, and by doing so, I made the choice to follow her laws. Actually, by doing so, I really made the choice to follow God’s laws.

In the last year or so, I’ve seen the Catholic Church attacked so much, and I’m not just talking about the HHS mandate. I’m talking about the “Why I hate Religion but love Jesus” video and the “How to suck at your religion” comic put out by the Oatmeal. When I first saw these, I felt anger. Then I felt sorrow, because both claimed to love Jesus, but then said they hated the Church He founded. Yeah. That makes sense. The Church is the body of Christ! You can’t truly love Christ fully without belonging to His body.

The way I think that people see the Church is as that crazy overprotective parent. You know how you had that one friend who had this ridiculously overprotective parent (in my case, my mother) that everybody groaned and moaned about but appreciated when they were older? For example, my mom taught me to dress modestly at a young age.  Now, as an upcoming college freshman, I’m thankful for that lesson. She taught me to see my body for what it is: the temple of the Holy Spirit, and not something to gain attention by.  I hated it when I was younger. All my friends got to wear these cute tank tops and short shorts and I was stuck scowling in jealousy in my capri pants and t-shirt. I think the Church is that parent. Maybe you’re bitter because of the rules now, but later, you’ll appreciate them and it’ll all make sense.

Unfortunately, I do not live near a Chick-fil-A. But if I did, I would be going there to get a chicken sandwich. I’d also go to Starbucks (which I do have nearby) and get myself one of those delicious frappuccinos. Then, maybe the world would explode and I’d be the coolest walking contradiction ever. 

Tried and true sunburn relief

On Tuesday, I went to the beach with my friend and sister. We were having a great time, swimming around, splashing each other and laughing. It was a lot of fun. See how much fun we were having?

My sister is on the right looking like a total creeper.

 When we got out of the water, we decided to tan. I forgot one thing:

Irish don't tan.

They b u r n.

So I come home, and my skin matches my hair.

Obviously, it hurts. A lot. I've decided to share my wisdom on how to make sunburns feel better.

1. WEAR SUNBLOCK. DO NOT BE STUPID LIKE ME.
2. Aloe Vera. Omigosh. Feels sooo good. But make sure you splurge and get the gel. Also make sure it has no alcohol in it, because that stings.
3. Lemon Juice. Strange but true. I soaked a few washclothes in it and stuck them in the freezer. Sweet relief.
4. Cold showers/baths. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THIS.
5. Baking Soda. This one's tricky. Either put it in a bath, or make a paste. But make a thin paste. When it's too thick, it's extremely painful to put on.
6. Vinegar. Has the same affect as lemon juice, but leaves you smelling like salt and vinegar chips.

So, if you are unfortunate and get a sunburn this summer, try one of these. Do you have any more home remedies that work for you?

Calling all bookworms!

I'm selling A BUNCH of books over at my book blog!! Check it out

Book Review: Unplanned by Abby Johnson

So, I usually do my book reviews over at my book review blog (makes sense), but I recently read a book that I've been so excited to review, but it doesn't really fit in at that blog.

I've been following Abby Johnson for a long time on facebook, and I really like her pro-life stance and point of views. I was also impressed that she used to work at Planned Parenthood. I felt like she knew. I finally got around to reading her book, Unplanned. In it, Abby goes in to some extremely personal stuff, including her two abortions and her struggles with various faiths. It was an engaging read, and well written. I don't read a lot of non-fiction (it bores me), but the way that this was written reminded me of a fiction novel. Abby is a wonderful woman and her book shows just that.

Plus, how cool was it that I finished the book the night before her baby boy was born?

Somebody tell God I need to be hit over the head with a 2x4

A couple days ago, I was happily scrolling through my facebook newsfeed when I saw this graphic:

"Aww," I thought, "That's adorable! But since I'm the most single person in the world I don't need that.

On Sunday at youth group, we talked about the sacraments. My group got marriage. My youth minister is married with kids to another one of our youth ministers, and most of the time we talked about their relationship and how it was based on God.

Sound familiar? (Hint: Look at the above picture.)

Finally, today, I saw a lifeteen post about Katie Holmes' and Tom Cruise's divorce. Since I'm a celebrity gossip junkie, I clicked on it.

I READ THE EXACT SAME THING I'VE BEEN SEEING/HEARING FOR THE PAST WEEK.

I think God's trying to tell me something.

The problem is, I have absolutely no idea what He's saying. I'm single as single can be (in other words...)

and a romantic relationship is nowhere in the foreseeable future for me.

So, God, if you're trying to tell me something, can you make it a bit more obvious? Let's not forget that I am a natural blonde...

Why I've decided to drop out of college before I've even started

1. Youth Group: I've been a part of my youth group throughout my highschool career, and they're one of the few constants I had in an inconstant teenage life. Sadly (or not...), this group is what I'm going to miss the most when I leave.
2. I'm lazy: Seriously. I'm seriously lazy. It's not even okay. I'll be too lazy to do any work and will get kicked out.
3. I procrastinate: I was supposed to "deep clean" my room before Christmas. It's July and still a mess.
4. I like living at home: It's okay to be lazy and procrastinate.
5. My closest family to campus is crazy: I mean, it was bound to happen since my whole family is crazy...
6. I've run out of excuses...

The Current Internal Struggle

I've always been impulsive and quick to give in to things. Yet, I'm stubborn. I know that makes ZERO sense, but that's kinda who I am. I've also been a lover of attractive men since I was a little girl and I thought that Rupert Grint was the cutest boy ever. So, when I saw the commercial for Magic Mike, I was thrilled. So thrilled, that I began counting down the days to it's release and going to see it at midnight. As I watched it, I felt uncomfortable. It felt wrong, and I felt guilty. But, my sister and friend, who I saw the movie with, loved it. Like, LOVED it. And I felt stupid for feeling weird. So I stuck those feelings in the back of my mind and gushed over just how sexy Channing Tatum was with my friends. I stuck those weird feelings and thoughts so far into the back of my brain that I forgot about them. Until my friend posted this article on facebook.


When I first saw it, I kinda rolled my eyes. Obviously it was wrong, but I was my own person. But something inside me compelled me to read the link and read the article. And the immense guilt and uncomfortable feelings set in again. The first thing that got me was this bible verse that she put into her post: 

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23

Oh. Well, what I saw was definitely not healthy. Does that make my  whole body unhealthy? It was just a bit of fun...

And then came this slap in the face:

 If our husbands were drooling over a movie about female strippers, we would be livid. 

Just two weeks ago, I empathized with a bridezilla (of the show Bridezillas) as she freaked out over her fiance seeing strippers and told my grandma I wanted to do a a co-ed karaoke night for my bachelor/bachelorette party. If my future husband is out there watching porn or going to strip shows... I don't know. My heart aches just thinking about it. But I'm here watching Magic Mike. I don't want a husband who will be okay with me watching that kind of thing, and I know I wouldn't be okay with my husband doing it. 


So, this is kinda my public apology. I'm sorry to all the people who saw the gifs of Magic Mike up on my tumblr. Yep, the same tumblr that says "Catholic and Proud" and also has saint quotes and bible verses on it. I'm sorry to the people I thought were 'just too conservative'. I'm sorry for being a hypocrite. 


Love,
Katie