February Daybook

Outside My Window:: It's wet (as in it's raining)!

I am hearing:: The carpeted upper floor gently creaking as my parents get ready for bed, the shower running, the light tippity-tap of the keys under my fingers.

I am wearing:: JPII t-shirt, comfy pj pants.

I am Thankful :: For loving, supportive, and understanding parents who are helping me to get my life in order. Sometimes I hate Friday nights, don't you? You're exhausted, and have been working all week (not like I have one and I've been too sick to even think of looking). On Friday, all our troubles and problems catch up with us and we're so tired we overact. Well maybe you don't, but I sure do.

I am Thinking:: About my friend Miss Julia Swain, and how lovely it is that she has started a blog. :) I have a whole list of bookmarked blogs that I read, (mostly written by home school mothers and a few by good friends and acquaintances), and I read them religiously (as in every day). :)

I am Pondering:: I wonder what God has in store for me. I mean I think I know what he has in store for me and that's why I'm going to Michigan this month to visit the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. The weekend after I get back, I'm going to visit the Daughters of St. Paul for one of their mini discernment sessions/retreats. I hope that it all becomes much more clear in the near future.

I am Reading: Band of Brothers. I never thought I would find myself reading one of my brother's books about wartime, but I find myself doing so having nothing else available to read, except for Tolkien and Tolstoy of which I am not particularly fond. I enjoyed The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but I'm not entirely eager to read Tolien's other books. It's just not my thing.

From the Kitchen:: I finally figured out how to make biscotti crunchy. It's always tasted right, but it turns out the recipe I have is missing the final step, which is to bake the cookies an extra twenty minutes or so. I am hoping to try either this weekend or next week. For Superbowl Sunday, I am going to make these for dinner. :)

I am Creating:: A photography business for myself. Last year, I bought about $1000 worth of photography equipment. I have always been into photography and had been taking pictures with a Nikon Coolpix which took decent pictures, but I was never quite able to achieve what I was envisioning. Now, with my new extraordinary zoom capability and various other fantastic features, I have a great opportunity ahead of me.

On my iPod/iPhone:: My favorites list and singing right now is Michael Buble singing Sway. What a great song. =)

Towards Rhythm:: I almost have my daily schedule down to a T. I get up (I still need to find a good time to regularly wake up at), take a shower, eat breakfast, brush my teeth, make tea, read for a few hours, go for a walk, eat lunch, watch an episode (or two) of some sort of mini-series (right now I'm really into BBC and A&E) that I find on Netflix, and then spend the rest of my afternoon on the computer or hanging out with my mother. We then eat dinner, the rest of the family goes for a walk, and then we watch something together (we just finished the first season of ER).

To Live the Liturgy:: I've been trying to turn my daily walk (see above) into a Rosary walk.

I am Hoping and Praying:: That BUMP+ continues to reach people and have a positive impact as it brings forth stories and conversation.

Around the House:: It's generally calm and quiet within the Lynch home. Right now, I believe I'm the only one still awake. ;)

On Keeping Home:: I've been making an effort to keep my room tidy. It looks decent right now thanks to the thorough cleaning I gave it at the beginning of the week. When it's clean and organized, I'm happy. A happy me is much more agreeable than a grouchy miserable me.

One of My Favorite Things: Hot chocolate in a clear blue glass mug on a cloudy and cold day. I was going to make it the easy way (the way I usually do it) with boiling water, but I changed my mind, pulled the plug of the electric tea kettle out of the wall, and heated up some milk. There really is nothing more tasty and warming. (Tea is another all time favorite, but sometimes I need chocolate.)

Reminiscing

Makes me miss having kittens around the house.

To Idolize What is Good

Note: These are more ramblings than organized/structured thought.

In my days off, or rather the days in which I have been job hunting, vocation searching, etc., I have been spending a great deal of time reading various books. On Saturday, I read the last pages of The Client as written by John Grisham. Then on Sunday afternoon, I picked up Bridge to Terabithia, a lovely story which I found quite easy to read and enjoy. I finished it last night, a mere seven hours after I had started. Before starting on The Client, I had already been reading Peggy Noonan's John Paul the Great. I had originally thought that I might read The Client and John Paul the Great simultaneously, but found the former to be more of a page turner and therefore, finished it before the latter.

I re-opened John Paul the Great this morning. Peggy Noonan wrote of her meetings with Pope John Paul II. As I read, I found myself crying happy tears and chuckling to myself over the antics of our former Pope, I recalled my own adventures in Rome and seeing Pope Benedict XVI for the first time in the Vatican. To someone of great importance, it might not have seemed of great consequence as it was just the Pope's regular Wednesday audience. But I will never forget that day. I was several rows back and the canopy under which the Pope would sit with all his cardinals looked so small off in the distance. We arrived at least two hours early and waited for what seemed to me an eternity. Then he came. And I could see him, I could see Pope Benedict XVI in his pope mobile, waving to the crowds and a beautiful smile on his face. And I melted inside. I literally teared up and became weak at the knees. I laughed as a little child would laugh with glee over the joys and excitements of Christmas time. In any other circumstances, I would have felt like a fool, but I couldn't help myself and I certainly did not care. In that moment, I forgot all my troubles and worldly cares (like the fact that I was exhausted from Professor Barber's most tiresome schedule). All that I saw or knew in that moment was a great leader, shaking hands with and waving to the vast masses of people who all felt the same way I did (or maybe not quite).

People find all sorts of idols in today's world. In fact, I am quite positive that since the beginning of time people have idolized other people, possessions, various worldly things that don't last. People cheer and shout (even scream) when a movie star or singer walks down the street, begging for an autograph, stretching across yellow tape, pushing through security just to touch a celebrity's thousand dollar coat. We worship/fantasize about such lofty lifestyles. What we don't realize is that we (you and I) are the same as Tom Cruise or Jennifer Lopez. We may not make as much money or be quite as famous, but we're the same. We're human, we make mistakes, we sin, we have relationships, we laugh, we cry, and sometimes we have bad days.

(I swear these two topics fit together perfectly in my head; I just need to find a way to connect them well enough to write down what I am trying to say.)

When I saw Pope Benedict for the first time, I went weak at the knees and I cried tears of gladness. It is not because I idolize him as God. I attribute my great joy to seeing and recognizing Benedict as a great man of God. He was chosen by the Holy Spirit to be the new Shepherd of our Church here on earth. He represents Jesus Christ to the world. Benedict is a great man because he is so close to Christ and bears so much responsibility for the wellbeing and spiritual health of the world. (He calls the shots.) I idolize Pope Benedict XVI, because I want to be like him. I idolize him as I would a role model. (Maybe "idolize" is not the right word.) I want to be holy as he is holy. On that day in Rome I saw a living saint. Don't we want to be like the saints?

I guess the point I am trying to make is that we idolize the wrong things. We idolize celebrities for their fame, their money, and their good looks. But Jesus put us on this earth and created us to know, love, and serve him. He gave us great shepherds like John Paul II and Benedict to guide us in these things and to grow in holiness. Alice von Hildebrand tells us that we should "pray for holy tears". I believe the tears that I cried in the Vatican Square were those of holy tears, tears which came from seeing and recognizing a living saint.

Bump+

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Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your enemies. Join the conversation.

Why We Need to Light Up the Darkness

Saw a link to this article on Facebook.

Audiences Experience 'Avatar' Blues

by Joe Piazza

(CNN) -- James Cameron's completely immersive spectacle "Avatar" may have been a little too real for some fans who say they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing the film because they long to enjoy the beauty of the alien world Pandora.

On the fan forum site "Avatar Forums," a topic thread entitled "Ways to cope with the depression of the dream of Pandora being intangible," has received more than 1,000 posts from people experiencing depression and fans trying to help them cope. The topic became so popular last month that forum administrator Philippe Baghdassarian had to create a second thread so people could continue to post their confused feelings about the movie.

Read the rest here.

For Tomorrow...

I swear, I was doing really well on the blogging thing, wasn't I? It sort of all went downhill when I went to the bay area for ten days and was on a film set for three. Oh well...

So what's happening? Well, for one thing, as soon as I woke up, my mother ran across the living room hurriedly. "MaryJoy told Scott that there's an opening at Catholic Answers! You should call her!" Hence, I called, and within a matter of fifteen minutes was updating my resume and writing a cover letter. I was done by 2:50ish, and faxed it over through Kinko's asap. I guess we'll see what comes of it. (Fingers crossed... it's in His hands.)

I know that this post is entitled, "For Tomorrow", but I need to finish my set-up in order for you to understand the importance of tomorrow.

Did I mention I was on a film set all weekend? Yeah, standing for 13+ hours/day sort of makes me tight. (Last night, I couldn't turn my head due to the fact that my neck was so tight and every time I lifted my arm and put it down, a sharp pain would run from the back of my neck and shoulder down my spine.) Therefore, after our visit to Kinko's, we stopped over at my chiropractor. Still a little sore, but better than it was.

We finally headed to the dry cleaners to pick up literally all my nice clothes. They were supposed to be in by 4pm today. Get there, the dry cleaner can't find them. They're either lost or haven't come back yet. I can't lie. I'm annoyed.

Soooooo.... as stated above, for tomorrow:

• I'll be calling Catholic Answers, making sure they received my resume and cover letter.
• I'll be calling Fr. Saroki, the man in charge of religious vocations in the San Diego diocese. I was going to do this today, but some new priorities came into play.
• Ice, stretching, ice, more stretching, ice, stretching, etc....
• Maybe a trip to the dry cleaners. (Saying a prayer to St. Anthony...)

Daybook

Outside my window ... Glorious sunshine and a cool breeze.

I am thinking … about Avatar.

On my iPod... (From my iTunes) 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser.

I am thankful for … new jeans.

I am reading … still reading What I Saw at the Revolution by Peggy Noonan.

I am hoping … that our flight the bay area will go smoothly.

On my mind … I hope I'm not forgetting anything.

Noticing that … I still have one box from my move home that I have yet to empty.

A few plans for the week … The proper care and feeding of little cousins.

From the kitchen … the finishing up of leftovers from Filippe's and wayyyyy too much chocolate.

Around the house … Last minute preparations before departure for the airport.

One of my favorite things … Acapella Christmas music.

Mmmmmm.....

I wish I could somehow share with you all the smell of the roast that is in the oven downstairs. It is plugged with garlic. I wish I could blog its lovely rich scent, open a vent, and let it waft throughout the world wide web.

Later on this evening, this roast will be served with mashed potatoes, salad, and pomegranate cider. The meal will then be wrapped up with creme brulee. And I am quite positive that our wonderful day will end with mugs of hot cocoa, topped off with marshmallows and candy canes.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!!

From a Dockers VP

"Once upon a time, men wore the pants, and wore them well. Women rarely had to open doors and little old ladies never crossed the street alone. Men took charge because that’s what they did. But somewhere along the way, the world decided it no longer needed men. Disco by disco, latte by foamy non-fat latte, men were stripped of their khaki’s and left stranded on the road between boyhood and androgyny. But today, there are questions our genderless society has no answers for. The world sits idly by and cities crumble, children misbehave and those little old ladies remain on one side of the street. For the first time since bad guys, we need heroes. We need grown-ups. We need men to put down the plastic fork, step away from the salad bar and untie the world from the tracks of complacency. It’s time to get your hands dirty. It’s time to answer the call of manhood. It’s time to wear the pants."

To read the rest of the article, go here:
http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/manifesto?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+faithandfamilylive+[Faith+%26+Family+Live!]&utm_content=Google+Reader#When:16:00:57Z

I Think I May Need Prayers

Or better yet, I think my family may need prayers as they stand behind me at this time in my life.

As much as I love my Alma Mater, I must say that three years of school with no summer break is exhausting. Yes, I am EXHAUSTED. I am not necessarily tired in the physical sense, but my mental faculties have been overwhelmed, my mind has been crammed with information, and I feel that it may take a couple weeks of watching movies, reading books, and dwelling in subconsciousness to find my sanity. Is this madness? Do I sound nonsensical?

Jesus, help me! I can't even type. (I just caught myself writing, "Is I mad? Does I sound nonsensical?")

It's the second night in a row where I've found myself in tears over something. In addition to being exhausted, I find myself stressed. Although the former may be the cause of the latter or vice versa, I do have to point out one critical factor which may be in the mix. 1) I AM A COLLEGE GRADUATE.

I do not have a job. I am shy.

But you have good connections.

I hate approaching people, even people I know.

Other things to add to the mix:

2) I need to figure out what is going on with my spiritual life.

3) My grandfather is living the last days/months of his life on this earth. I know that he is going to a better place, but it is still depressing. My family is comprised of fairly quiet, shy, and sensitive folk. They argue under stress; they cry easily. Not a good combination, especially when you're stressed to begin with for reasons aforementioned.

4) People send me stupid requests for things which have no meaning and really no importance. Yet they insist. I'll give you a hint. Ask and then leave me be. I will get to it when I have time or I will say no. Either way, do not press me. It will only proceed to tick me off/anger me and thus ignore you or your request/change my mind in the negative. You will not be pleased, I will not care, and the earth will continue to revolve. (I will probably spend more time in Purgatory.)

I am venting. Please forgive me and pray for my well-being. It is almost Christmas and I am in need of cheer. (I should also go to bed and spare you all from rants that are a result of exhaustion.)

This Is What I Call An Achievement

John Paul II has been declared venerable!

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/john_paul_ii_declared_venerable_moves_one_step_closer_to_sainthood/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+catholicnewsagency/dailynews+(CNA+Daily+News)

Kipper

Kipper
Originally uploaded by andrea.lynch88

A picture I am sharing (cont'd from previous blog post)...

Outside my window ... A black road winding between two rows of clean cut suburban homes. All is lit by moonlight and street lamps.

I am thinking … that tomorrow will be a fun and busy day as we prepare the house for Christmas. We will also be visiting our favorite bakery. In honor of my graduation, my mother is throwing a Christmas caroling/dessert party.

I am thankful for …family reunions, even small ones which consist of all the kids being home for the holidays.

I am reading … Peggy Noonan's, What I Saw At the Revolution.

I am hoping … and praying for my Grandpa's health and (if it be God's will) his recovery.

On my mind …Tomorrow's festivities.

Noticing that … my room is becoming cluttered again due to the arrival of belongings I have collected over my past 3.5 years at school.

A few plans for the week … Christmas decorating, visit to Canterbury Gardens, and Christmas cooking.

From the kitchen …Chocolate. We have a tin of peppermint bark in our cupboard. My sister also received a TON of chocolate from her Kris Kringle at TAC. She came home tonight on the train and brought it with her. It sits in our cupboard with the peppermint bark.

Around the house … As a media major, I enjoy movies and watched many at school. I convinced my mother to sign up for Netflix (which I actually ended up doing for her). Since I got home, we watch a movie a day.

One of my favorite things … home cooked meals. Nuff said.

A picture I am sharing …

*Note: Until I figure out what I am doing with regards to this option, I believe I will leave it blank and put it in a separate post.

I've Done It

Let's see now... the last time I blogged was... you know, I really don't remember. That's the bad news. I always promise that I will post more often, break my promise, and then make the promise once more. I hope this is the last time due to my good news. As of December 12th, 2009, I am in proud possession of my B.S. Degree in Communications Media! Which means... I promise I shall blog more and I am going to try (not guarantee) to post every day. I don't know what I will post, but it is my goal to find something. If I can't find something, I must have a pretty boring and meaningless life. If I can't find something, I need to get my act together. It means I need to get a life!

I'm going to start tonight. I'm not going to start with this post, because for the most part, it is a fairly meaningless post. It is only a bone with a shred of meat. (I will leave it up to you to decide which part of this post is most interesting.)

Three More Days!

In three more days, school will be over... FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!! I can't express how exciting I am about this prospect!

Yet, at the same time, it's all rather bittersweet. This is for two simple reasons:

1) Tomorrow is my last day and before that day begins, I need to finish putting together my business plan, demo reel, and trailer. Ah, woe is me! But I know that somehow, before Friday, it will all be over and I'll be done.

2) You have no idea of how much it saddens me to be leaving all my friends. I have so many good memories of JP Catholic and the people here. I love everyone so much.

You have to understand that JP Catholic is like a family. The school is so small (there's about 120 students) and I know EVERY SINGLE ONE. And for the most part, I consider them all my close friends (even the strange artsy ones).

The good news is, I'll be living at home for another year or so before entering a religious order (so excited about this), and therefore, hope to visit the school frequently. We'll see whether or not this actually happens, but that is the plan for the time being.

So, you see (hopefully), my reasoning for being happy and sad at the same time. I'm still debating whether or not I should wear mascara on Saturday for fear that it may all end up running down my face in long black streaks.

My Fairy Name

Love this kind of thing and I just couldn't resist when I saw it on Mrs. Fleming's blog. :)

Your fairy is called Gossamer Moontree

She is the moon goddess's messenger.

She lives in spiderwebbed wonderlands and insect grottos.

She is only seen when the first leaves fall from the trees.

She wears tiny black spiders on her dresses. She has beautiful blue butterfly wings.

Get your free fairy name here!

(My, my... Isn't it such a scandalous looking dress? If I ever meet my fairy, we are most definitely going shopping for something new.)

Update

I thought I should do this again as I now have the ability to update it! :)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars - not yet, unless you count a room, which is under a roof, which is under the stars. :)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland or DisneyWorld
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hike
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse - I think so.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - Ireland!
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (in general)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing - Indoors :)
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - In the process
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching -- Yes, with the Lawlesses at Dana Point.
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand-new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

New Blog

Don't worry. I hope to continue maintaining this one as well. My new blog pertains to my recently launched company, Flashback Animation Studios.

Here's the link:

http://flashbackanimation.wordpress.com/

Please tell your friends as well! :)

Awww, Ma!!!!!

Do It Anyway...

"People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People who really want help may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway. Give the world the best you have and you may get hurt. Give the world your best anyway." ~ Mother Theresa