"We can believe what we choose...

but we will be judged on what we choose to believe."
-Cardinal Newman

So, back in the swing of things here at school after Christmas vay-cay (full of family, coffee, good books, and Law & Order), and just finished the first week of the new semester. History classes? All good. Especially 20th Century European History- must read from that class for everyone is Regeneration, by Pat Barker, which deals with World War I soldiers and shell-shock and questions of love and hate and life and trauma. The characters are soooo realistic.

Also reading (or plan on reading):

1. Toward a Theology of the Body by Mary Timothy Prokes, FSE (cause Christopher West drives me insane but that's no reason to discount the entire teaching)
2. Beads & Prayers: The Rosary in History and Devotion by John D. Miller
3. Pilate's Wife: A Novel of the Roman Empire by Antoinette May

And for another list....

Things I love on this Friday in January:

• snow
• cozy hoodies
• Starbucks mild-blend Columbia, taken black.
• being a history nerd (give me a monacle, SMcCleanie!)
• intellectual snobbery-----or not, JStran....how should we phrase it?
• riveting classes
• the Food Network. FASCINATING.
• referring to people by nicknames they will never know ;-)
• Harry Potter. The end.
• pretty dresses

Off to read, or perhaps snooze. More later!

“Has any consideration been given to a fund-raiser with more dignity?” asked Linder.
“Dignity?” sniffed the mayor. “You can’t raise cash money with dignity. It’s hard enough to sell history, much less dignity.”
-A Light in the Window by Jan Karon, pg 366

Lulla, lulla, lullaby...

Never harm
Nor spell nor charm
Come our lovely lady nigh
So goodnight, with lullaby.
-A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare

Quite a weekend! Things that made me glad to be alive recently...

1)I attended the beautiful wedding of two very dear friends of mine, and it was an honor to witness their vows, and to take part in their happiness. The reception was a blast, as well...nothing like dancing with your friends!
2)Today I was able to go to the library again and get out some pretty sweet books, which always makes me happy.
3) Getting ready for above-mentioned wedding with my sister, Sarah...painting our nails, doing our hair, etc. It was so much fun to primp and enjoy being girly together! (Ok, not biological sister, but close enough. Sometimes, it's just not about blood ties, you know?)
4) Our early-morning (ok, not so early, but early by my standards!) chat, just enjoying being in each other's company.
5) Giggling with Sarah and Jules like a maniac Friday night.
6) Listening to crazy student-teacher stories from Jules.
7) Loving and being loved by my sweetheart, Paul <3
8) Cranking out a paper on philosophy and Harry Potter way before it's due! (Really, it's amazing how Harry Potter can be applied to every subject to make an awesome term paper/project/etc)
9) The fact that when I sign off here, I will have a delicious Kit-Kat to enjoy! What simple bliss!
10) Books books books- I am delighting in my abundance of books! Currently reading:

• The Miseducation of Women: A spirited assault on the hidden curriculum that works to women's disadvantage by James Tooley (hat-tip to my lovely kindred, Sara!)
• Prayer:Does it make any Difference? by Philip Yancey (His books are always chockful of great quotes, references, insights, etc.
• Spin Sisters: How the Women of the Media Sell Unhappiness and Liberalism to the Women of America by Myrna Blyth (read before...but I felt the need to reread it. It's a solid, informative read that has you nodding in agreement with it)

11) Also, I am eagerly awaiting two books in the mail: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, and What our Mothers Didn't Tell Us by Danielle Crittenden.

Off to eat my Kit-Kat, read, and sleep. "and perchance, to dream...."- goodnight!

"Neither let your effort be shortened for fear of failure, nor your confession silenced for fear of shame." ~John Ruskin, "The Stones of Venice"