The Chalice With the Palace Has the True that is Brew

Here are two great clips from the movie, "Court Jester". If you haven't seen it, you haven't lived. This is one of my favorite scenes. Movies used to be much more clever and Danny Kaye never ceases to amaze me.

Homeschooler Theme Song

Enjoy this video. I happen to come from a very large group of homeschoolers myself. There weren't very many families, but there were many children within those families. Enjoy!

Today (Or Yesterday) is Born a Savior

Merry Christmas!

Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' ~Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide"

Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space. ~Dave Barry

Christmas Cheer!

A little something to raise your Christmas spirits! Merry Christmas everyone!

Home, Sweet Home

For my few dear readers, I apologize for not having posted anything for a while. Life has been quite hectic, yet an exciting adventure. Here is a brief update on what has happened over the last three days.

On Thursday night, I finished my last final, so on Friday, I took the liberty of cleaning the apartment and packing. (Not like I have much to pack, since I only live about twenty-five minutes away.) After packing, I washed my sheets and wasted my life away on Facebook and Youtube and listened to some music. I departed at about 3:00pm after wishing farewell to my beloved roommates and putting everything in my truck.

That night, my mother made a hearty meal which I savored. It was much better than the food I had been preparing myself over finals week. After dinner, we decorated the tree and put the stockings up. Glass icicles with glitter, angels, completely random ornaments received when we were small, Andrea's First Christmas, gingerbread men (made of some sort of plastic), bows, colored balls, and oh, so many others went up on the tree. Some great pictures were taken including the one below. Sorry that it's a little fuzzy.

After a great night, I got up early the next morning for my root canal on my front tooth. With a sore mouth, I spent the whole day eating soup, scrambled eggs, very soft bread, and rice pudding. I also spent the whole day reading a fascinating book, Waking Rose, written by Regina Doman. Alas, if only my school books were that exciting.

The next day was Sunday. We had gone to Mass the night before, so I slept in (until 9:00!). I spent another day eating soft foods that could by mushed around by my tongue (TMI!) and continued to read Waking Rose. At about 5:00pm we left the house with deli sandwiches for Coronado Island to watch the Parade of Lights which is a parade of various boats covered in Christmas lights. Since we don't have the pleasure and entertainment of snow, we San Diegans watch boats bob past covered with colorful and fancy lights. There was a pirate theme this year, so several of the boats were blasting either "A Pirates Life For Me" or the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song. Some had Santa walking the plank and then one particularly creative one had constructed a huge skull wearing a Santa hat with candy canes for cross bones. There was even a small boat in which the owners had built a small blazing fire. My family all had an excellent time and we drove home amidst lots of Christmas crazed drivers.

After Sunday, comes Monday which brings me to today. Since my siblings are still in school (at home), I finished Waking Rose (all 371 pages). It was an awesome read and I enjoyed it immensely! The rest of the day has been rather uneventful. I spent most of it in front of my computer trying to upload 114 pictures from my camera and then onto Facebook, I helped my mother pick up the van from the garage. (My sister is learning to drive and has hit the curb a few times. The van had to be realigned.) I also took the dog for a walk, which was slightly annoying, because he has to sniff everything and will stop at random intervals, causing his walker (who is busy enjoying the brisk weather) to trip over him.

Well anyways, I think my mom is making dinner which means I will have to abandon this post. I hope you all have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

What Kind of Christmas Tree Are You?

You Are a Bright Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays are all about fun and seasonal favorites. You are into all things Christmas, even if they're a little tacky.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

Kurt Browning figure skating to Gene Kelley's "Singing in The Rain". They had to film this in several takes, because the rain kept melting the ice.

Your Majesty...

(Chapter 14, Question 1)

In Daniel 5, we read about King Belshazzar of Babylon and how he holds a great feast where he and his guests eat and drink using the silver from the Temple. As a result of the sacrilege of these sacred things, God delivered a message to Belshazzar, foretelling the near end of Belshazzar’s kingdom. Once again I ask the popular questions, “What is the meaning of this story and how does it apply to us”? Many times we do not realize the symbolism of the stories in the Old Testament that apply to our own lives today. The above story of Belshazzar applies to our respect towards sacred things such as the Holy Eucharist.

As Catholics, we may not realize the many graces which God has bestowed upon us. These graces he gives to us through many sacred things including the Eucharist. In the Eucharist God gives of his whole self to us. When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are truly receiving His body, blood, soul, and divinity. Jesus in the Father and the Holy Spirit is actually present when the priest speaks the words of the Consecration.

Let us picture for a moment that you are in the chapel or just an ordinary room. In walks Jesus. He is standing before you, gazing at your face. This is God and He is in your midst only a few feet from where you are sitting. I don’t know what your reaction would be, but I think I would probably stare in shock and awe for a few moments before falling at His feet and pleading for forgiveness for every wrong I had ever done against Him, because He is so perfect and wonderful, and He loves me so much that He was gave his life for me. Every whip that tore at His flesh and every thorn that dug into His skull and the nails that were driven into his hands and feet are my sins laid against him. If you were the only person on the face of this earth, He would have been crucified just to save you.

Let us come back to the present. The priest has just spoken the words of the Consecration and has elevated the host which is now Jesus Christ present before you. What kind of respect will you show to him? We are not worthy to eat His Holy Flesh or drink His Holy Blood. Jesus is the one and only King. Before I came to JP Catholic, when I was about sixteen, I was talking to one of my godsisters after daily Mass. We were discussing how to properly dress for Mass. She explained it very well when she said, “When I go to Mass, I am presenting myself before Jesus who is God who is King. If I was going to see a king, I would put on my best gown, get my hair done, and wear my most expensive jewelry. How much more should I dress well before God who is King over the entire universe”. The same concept applies to our behavior. If we were to go before the Queen of England, we would never turn bow or curtsy or even kiss her royal hand. The same applies at Mass. Before receiving Communion, we are taught that we should bow or genuflect. God deserves much more than the Queen of England. He deserves our all.

So, before receiving the Eucharist, we should show the utmost respect for our King, the Lord Jesus Christ. Signs of respect show in our dress and in our behavior. How would you dress and behave before a king on earth? How much more should we do these things before God, who is our creator and King of the entire universe?

Entertainment of the Night

I did this a couple months back and it said my blog had a high school reading level. I guess this means I've improved.