The Next Generation

"I make all things new" - God

On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, it became painfully evident that my baby of 17 years had given the best of herself, and it was time to let her rest. The Ol' Grey Mare ain't what she used to be, and I was faced the stark reality that I'd need to buy a new car. Please understand, I'm the original owner of my '93 Civic CX hatchback, and the idea of having my most reliable and faithful relationship come to an end wasn't easy to stomach. But, I either had to buy a new car or pour untold amounts of money into my baby with no assurance of worth. Prayer and anticipation of joy sustained me as I wept.

Yesterday morning, after briefly visiting my friend's yard sale, I went to the dealership to confirm that I couldn't afford a new car. I expected a "No", but I needed to rule it out in order to rest in the decision of keeping my Sweet Orca, my little space pod. It's not that I was being negative, but rather that I was being realistic.

"I make all things new" - Revelation

But, God had other plans, plans I didn't forsee. It wasn't my day for yet another mark on the "No" board. Instead, it was my day for a "Yes", and, "You're approved". So while I have a few details to sort out - and a lot of rice and beans to eat, - I am now the proud original owner of a new 2010 Civic 4-door sedan. Since all things are made new, I even got new tags.

"See, I make all things new."

So, here is the newest addition to my family, my sweet Silvie. She's got more pep than I know what to do with, and I'm having to learn what "The New 65" feels like. 40 may be the New 30 for us people, but the same is true for cars! I was flying down the highway yesterday at 70, and, if it weren't for the BIG BLUE DIGITAL NUMBERS FRONT AND CENTER, I would've thought I was going 55!

I look forward to seeing the amazing places Silvie will take me, and I'm thankful for Orca giving me the absolute best years of her life. All seventeen of them.

General May Update

If only my brain were linked to this blog, and there would be more entries! Wait, then again, it's probably better this way. You don't need to know everything I'm thinking. =:]

Life is good, and here's the gist of the update.

1. My singing life continues to blossom. I am in awe of God's leading in this, how when you delight in Him, he really does give you the desires of your heart. Not only have I improved my game at St. Leo's, but the music program at Holy Trinity continues to bless and amaze me. I am surrounded by quality and talented musicians of all types, and I'm thrilled. Next week at Holy Trinity, I am singing in a sacred music concert featuring the music of internationally-known composer Sally Ann Morris. Turns out, however, she's a personal friend of a personal friend, so this is a real treat. She will be present to sing, as well as conduct, her own pieces, some of which she wrote this year! But, the best part is... there's a brass quintet and timpani, too!! Super excited!!
2. Next Saturday is the last class meeting for Lay Ministry. That's right - I'm seconds away from being done with my certificate! Our graduation ceremony will be sometime this summer, at which point we will be "sent forth" by a high-ranking official of our diocese. It is hoped that it will be the Bishop, but regardless, it will be a beautiful service. Yea!
3. Speaking of continuing education, I am actively working to complete my Bachelor degree this year. Tomorrow I will be going to Late Registration and will hopefully be able to enroll in at least one class, if not both that are still needed. Once I finish those classes (and pay my outstanding balance to the college), I will have my diploma! Pretty cool. The best part is I'm ready to have that part of my life complete. Yea!
4. RCIA is also completed. The Easter Vigil was a beautiful service, and I really enjoyed serving both as cantor and as a sponsor.
5. Writing... Well, I'm excited to say that I'm working diligently on a script for a dear friend of mine, and it's going better than any of my other attempts. He and I talked about it last Monday (the 10th), and since then, I've been able to sketch out the story beats as well as the two main characters. Yesterday I sketched out some scenes for my Board, and today I wrote the first 8 pages of the first draft. I hope to have a draft to him in a few weeks. Granted, a lot of it is based in personal experience, but I'm amazed at how even personal experience has to be molded with craftmanship in order to make it a good story. Another yea!

So, until next time, I wish you blessings and joy!!!

House Hunt 2010 is officially over.

With all the incentives to purchase a home, I spent time investigating my ability to get in while the getting's good. I looked at houses, condos, and townhomes, and the conclusion is two-fold: I love where I live & I can't afford an upgrade. Interestingly enough, once I got past the short-lived disappointment, I felt liberated. I still do.

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me, was excited for me, and was interested in this significant learning process. Your prayers were invaluable.

So what's next? Taking care of old business, continuing to follow the leading with my music life, and getting those stories written. I could say that the focus is now on earning more money, but I'd rather see it as an opportunity to follow my passions. If not now, when? Right?

What's Cookin'!!

When I was working for Jason's Deli, I got my ServSafe certification. ServSafe is a food handling training course, and it was a personal goal of mine to obtain. I recently framed and hung it in my kitchen. Just like in a restaurant. And it's good until 2013!! Love it!!

But the most exciting news of late is that I made my favorite meal from scratch this past Friday night. I love Fettuccini Alfredo, and rather than go out, I decided to try my hand at it at home. This is important because I've long been afraid to cook with cream, but apparently that is long gone. I bought the few ingredients (heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan-Reggiano cheese, dried fettucini pasta) and off I went to make it in my home.

And it was tasty. It was super tasty. It was so good, I had it again Saturday for lunch (I had another serving of sauce in the fridge). Here's a pic from Day 2.

ER: Season 1

I realize it seems very retrospective and almost odd that I would watch ER: Season 1 sixteen years later, especially when I prefer the medium of film over television. However, in my quest for knowledge and relentless research tendencies, I put this in my Netflix queue, and I'm glad I did.

Michael Crichton was a genius. Truly. Yes, this serial medical drama was picked up during the most popular time in his career, but he truly knew how to tell a story. I was dumbfounded by his work these many moons later, and would recommend it even today.

What made this pilot, this season, this show so amazing? Is it the raw, primal quality of life and death, blood and guts, trama and terror exposed for us to see? Is it the action-packed pace that keeps us on the edge of our seats? Is it the personal stories interwoven with the medical terminology that is over my head? I dare say it's none and all of these. It is the tension of the unknown and known sharing air space, but it's also the humanity displayed in super-human circumstances. Doctors "play" God, yet through the personal stories we see that they aren't. Dr. Greene is a faithful husband whose mistress is his career. Nurse Carol has an unparalleled administrative memory whose self-worth demon is on display for all to see. Dr. Ross is a compassionate and intuitive pediatrician who can only funnel those qualities to his children patients, but not his personal relationships. Dr. Lewis is caught between her past and her future, lost and persistent. Dr. Benton is surgeon obsessed with his own career at the expense of his family. And who could forget Dr. Carter, the rich-kid who is thrown into the deep end (literally) of how-the-other-half-lives.

Do I recommend taking the time to watch or re-watch this show? Yes, if you want to see a show that redefined a genre. Yes, there were medical dramas before, and there have been medical dramas after, but I challenge you, my dear readers, to provide an example that is as well executed, poignant, and unafraid as this one. I look forward to your comments.

Stars:
4 of 5

Recommend:
Yes. But be advised, the topics handled are for mature audiences, and are excellent for discussions on morals and ethics.

First Flowers 2010

Hello!!

It appears Spring has sprung, and hopefully we won't have a frost in the next several weeks. We had a harsh winter this year, and everyone around town agrees we've earned our nice weather and pretty flowers. My landlord cut back the beautiful garden so it would sprout back even more beautifully, and the dandelions are the first to make their appearance. The yellow is so cheerful, I wanted to make sure I shared.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world!!

M.

Multiple entries for this day

Hello,

Please be sure to scroll down. I have personal stuff - with pictures! - below the movie commentary.

Happy Sunday!
M.