3 out of 5

In the last three weeks I have survived freezing nights in camp ground without blankets, a sinus infection and ear infection, a lost voice while trying to lead four to five forty minute music periods a day for four days straight, poison ivy and some other from of irritant, and more hugs than any introvert should have to handle.

And I've loved every single minute of it.

Music at 1C, my dream job of assistant director at 2C, and now the senior of seven adorable 6th grade girls, my day to day life in July has been one big dream.  Somehow among all the chaos and magic, I've found a lot of time for God in my daily life. Rosary for bed, meditating on a different form of prayer each time; praise, thanksgiving, blessing/adoration, petition, and intercession, helping to keep myself focused on my prayers but still "covering all my bases".  On Thursday nights at Camp, the entire group is lucky enough to experience a penance service and adoration.  Sitting in adoration, listening to the same playlist twice now, one song has hit home twice now.

"Beautiful Things" by Gungor starts with this low drone, and even the first time I heard it, not in adoration I could tell this song was going to stick with me, and it has.  The lyrics are simple enough to remain with you, but they also have a second layer within them, making them something worthy of quiet contemplation in a setting such as adoration.

With so much camp on my hands, I hardly have time for anything else, let alone keeping my blog updated, but I thought, if anything, I could share the a song that has been helping me along in my spiritual journey this summer.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

Modest is hottest

Modesty is still something I tend to struggle with. It feels almost wrong to refuse cute, flattering clothing in return for a little more coverage, and a little less attention.

There's something to be said about the power women find in the clothes they are wearing. It's hard to replace the feeling a pair heels clicking against hardwood floors, or the confidence that can be found in the perfect outfit. 

In that same term, another set of clothing  women have lay claim to is the bikini. It's considered empowering for women, helping them to lay claim to their own bodies and their beauty. Society has displayed the bikini as something empowering and beautiful for women, while they couldn't be more wrong.

In a study done by Princeton University released in 2009, researchers discovered that when men perceived women dressed in less and less coverage, the more these women were perceived as objects instead of people. 

Which, is of course, disheartening. How do we as women win in this situation? We are modern women, we have the right to feel beautiful and desirable without giving up the right to be seen as a person. So, what do we have to give up? 

In truth, nothing. We don't have give up anything in return for bring perceived as person worthy of respect. Blouse seems a little low cut? Throw on a scarf. Shorts a little too short, that one's a little tricky, maybe you should buy ones that are a little longer. 

All around, the concept of modesty isn't the most popular one around. However, the concept of respect has a nice ring to it. Don't think about it as dressing modestly, think of it as dressing respectfully. Or perhaps an even better goal could be classy.

Without beating a dead horse, I would like to recall the old concept of our bodies being a temple. Dress like it, and be amazed at the way people will receive you. 

The positive attention I've received while dressed in a classy, more appropriate manner is some of my favorite compliments I've ever received. I'm still my tattooed, pierced, and feminist self, all while dressed like a lady.

Modest is hottest, and classy...well, that is just the icing on the cake. 

Totus tuus, 

LeAnn 

Judgin'

Don't even bother denying; you're judging.  

Right now, you are judging whether or not you want to take the time out of your busy day to actually read what follows these sentences.  Whether or not this cute little blog is worth your time.  You've probably already judged the setup of the site, the background and various other details.  We all do it.  

So whatever happened to "thou shalt not judge lest ye be judged"?  

Throughout the summer, I have some pretty odd jobs; I give swimming lessons, I umpire, I babysit, and I make funnel cakes.  The last one is probably the most random of all my summer jobs.  I work for my grandma in a funnel cake stand; we go to a couple of different shows (monster truck rallies, tractor pulls, 4th of July festivals) and sell funnel cakes.

Normally, I'm the window person.  I smile at you from inside the hot, greasy trailer, and inform you that a lemonade and funnel cake will cost you nine dollars, and could you please step over to the pick up window for your funnel cake.  All the while I'm doing this, I'm judging you.  

I am assuming since you are a monster truck rally, you have no life or could be considered "redneck".  I'm guessing that because you threw such a fit over the line that you are impatient.  I believe that you are a bad mother because your children's clothes fit poorly or are stained.  I decide that you are uneducated because you couldn't take the time to read the prices clearly marked on the window to my left.  

What's funny is, they are probably judging me.  The girl working in a funnel cake stand; her eye makeup a little smudged, hair frizzed, and nose pierced.  I must be a high school dropout, or a young mother.  If I fumbled in counting out their change, they may think I'm uneducated. They see me joking with my brother and assume he's my boyfriend.  Because I am wearing a bandanna in my hair, and multiple bracelets on my wrist, I must be a "hipster". 

It's a vicious cycle; we all have eyes and ears, we see and hear things that make us think, we cannot turn a blind eye to the world.  So how then, do we stop this whole judging thing?  By making the effort not to.  

One woman who came through my line had pink hair.  She had at least five piercings in her face alone, and had four visible tattoos.  She also had two clean, well-mannered kids with her.  She was polite, thanked me, and then recognized me right after I had finally placed her; she is the woman who had done my body piercings.  Which goes to show; we can't judge a book by it's cover or where you even found it. 

So judging?  We all do it, and can't help it.  The trick with judging people is to not let our judges and assumptions rule our lives.  When in doubt, refer back to one simple rule:

Love thy neighbor as thyself.  

Keep it simple, keep it classy, instead of judging them, love them.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

Ender's Game

Possibly one of the best novels I have ever read, written by science-fiction author Orson Scott Card, the novel Ender's Game holds a message anyone could enjoy.  The book is fast-paced, well-written, and hard to put down or even walk away from.  

I discovered Ender when I was thirteen, courtesy of my seventh grade science teacher.  Ms. Tinsley and I had bonded all year over our mutual like of the areas of Star Wars, Star Trek, and all things science-fiction, ending with her giving me some old paperback novels from when she was in high school.  They were mostly fantasy, one or two being more realistic, and one being a collection of short stories by Orson Scott Card.

I don't even have that particular book in my possession anymore, but I can tell you it struck a chord with me.  I was intrigued by John Paul and Theresa Wiggin, by the concept of a Battleroom, and above all, by the quote "the enemies gate is down". 

Almost three years later, idly skimming the library shelves, trying to find enough books to last me through Christmas break, I happened upon an entire shelf of novels by Card.  Ender's Game sat there, in metallic gold print marching down the spine of a large hardback novel.  It seemed to good to be true.  And it almost was, especially when I came back two weeks later to discover not only was the novel everything I had hoped it would be, but there was much more to it.  Ender's Shadow, The Rise of the Giant, and others all quickly became favorites.  Valentine, Peter, Bean, Han Tzu, Achilles, Petra, all became characters I grew to know as well Harry Potter and the Pevensie children.  

Ender's story has appealed to more than just me though; Card has received the Nebula Award, which is huge in science-fiction.  The book has been used as teaching tool when working with gifted young children, and has been on the reading list of the Marine Corp almost since it's birth.  The novel speaks to men of war, to those who feel left out because of their knowledge, to male and female alike.  The ethics questioned in make the reader think, while the fast-paced method of presentation makes it difficult to realize what all there is to actually ponder.  

For me though, it wasn't the war-hero, the PTSD, or the violence that I could relate to; it was the desire to win, and to learn.  I understood Ender's voracious appetite for knowledge, and how he learned from the things others didn't bother to study or even notice.  I also understood the desire to win, to do anything it takes to be sure you succeeded, and while I may not be willing to kill to get what I want, I still do what it takes. 

Maybe there's a little child-genius in all of us, maybe that's why it's appealed to so many the last forty years.  Perhaps it's because we've all felt alone at some point, or because we all outgrow our family eventually.  It could even just be the simple love a game, that drives us to apply our whole self the comprehension and victory within the game.  Whatever it is, it is a novel we should all read.  Take a little time this summer, and read a good book, and if you can't find anything else to read, try out Ender's Game. 

Watch the trailer, get hooked, be excited for an incredible movie that's going to be coming out, but most importantly, read this book with an eagerness to learn.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn 

It's Here!

Summer break has arrived...

For me anyways, finals are over and I'm home for the next six weeks until camp begins.  So here I am, at home and positively bored out of my skull, and it's only day three of my "vacation".

So, I've taken the time to compile a list of summer goals.  I'm not a crazy list person by any means, but there's something nice about having a list of long-term goals to strive for over the next two and half months.

Summer Goals:

• Be Fit
• be able to run a 5k comfortably 
• gym every other day
• the goal here isn't to be a gym rat, but to have a healthy lifestyle.
• Eat healthier
• portion control, don't binge eat
• less sugar, more fresh foods
• water, water, and oh yes, water!
• Read
• read for fun!
• read thirty books from a top one hundred list (link is on my links page)
• Pray
• renew my commitment to Love
• see things with eyes of Love and Awe

Summer time is a time for friends, family, and remembering why we do the things we do.  It's a time to remind yourself of what you love about yourself, what you do to have fun, and it's a great time to start new habits.  The trick is, don't put it off.  Get up and do something this summer!  Make a list of the things you want to accomplish this summer, and then actually do it! There's no time like the present, no moment like right now!

Totus tuus,

LeAnn 

Represent

I am no stranger to stage presence.

I've been performing in various venues since I was five years old; dance, piano, clarinet, public speaking, plays, and even sports have put me in front of crowds frequently.  I learned early on how to represent myself well.

There are three levels of stage presence, the first rightly being the first impression.  This can make or break you.  It is, unfortunately, based off of how you look, the way you walk, or even just gesture.  Concert blacks that don't match or an ill fitting suit can immediately reduce your value to an audience.  At that same level, the exact amount of professionalism combined with the personality you plan to exude will draw the crowd in; it's walking out with smile on your face, or wearing a unique tie.  It's all about body language and respecting what you are about to do.

The second level of stage presence falls in the actual performance.  A speaker needs to be able to speak confidently, not too fast or too slow.  A musician should be able to grab the audience's ear with those first few pitches.  An umpire needs to present a high level of authority, and the quarterback needs to give off an immense aura of skill, all while actually fulfilling these requirements.  The first impression is an important one, but the second one is the lasting one.

The third level is found offstage, outside your area of performance.  If you've done your job well, people will recognize you in other areas.  And this is where you really need to represent.  People are always watching, they see the way you interact with your friends, they notice the way you speak to the waitress at a restaurant, and remember it.

My everyday outfit is nothing too fancy, I dress for comfort, not style.  But on important detail to
my everyday ensemble is my ZEW crew bracelet.  This bracelet was given to me at Camp Re-NEW-All, and is a daily reminder of the type of person I want to be, but it also identifies me as a member of my camp.  Wearing that bracelet means that I need to behave in a manner that would represent my camp.  The same goes with letters for SAI, any shirt I wear, anytime I wear my pin, I am representing my fraternity and my sisters.  Any misbehavior reflects poorly not only on me, but on those I represent as well.

Don't believe me?

When I was in high school, my band director received an email complimenting her band members who had used the restroom at a local convenience store.  The owner told her that five teens had come through, two of which wearing band shirts, and all five had been remarkably well-mannered and respectful.  She noticed what school we were from, and made an effort to contact and praise the band program for the young adults in it's membership.

But let's take it one step further; representing God.  Remember that you were made in God's own image, male and female both.  The ways you treat people, behave and interact all reflect back upon a loving God.  It also returns to your church, parents, friends, and family.

We as Christians, and especially as Catholics need to represent.  If we claim our God, claim our Church, then must also claim the responsibility that comes with it.  By no means are we to be like the scribes or the Pharisees, but we should also be distinguishable from others.  If the only time people know you are Catholic is on Ash Wednesday, then you aren't doing your job correctly.

Don't blow a trumpet, but also don't keep your music inside; represent! Perform! The world is our stage, this our life, and we need to make every single day a performance to God.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

Don't Stop Now!

Holy cow...where did the time go?

We are officially in the last two weeks of school here at Pitt State, which means this week is Dead Week.  And if there was ever a week more unjustly named, it would be this week.  There is nothing dead about this week at all, somehow professors interpret Dead Week to mean Cram-Everything-Into-This-Week Week.

Gee, thanks guys.

It's hard, those last few weeks of school.  Seniors are on the last little plateau before they finally get to graduate, college kids can smell the fresh cut grass of summer fun, and all we can think about is how close we are to being done with that final paper, instead of actually finishing that final paper.

Don't stop now, finish the final paper! Get your butt in a practice room and get the jury piece up to par, whatever you do, don't stop now!

It's like the last little bit of 5k, you know you're close, you can almost feel it, the finish line is literal just out of your vision, and all you want to is drink water and let your legs relax, but you can't.  You have to finish strong.  You've been training for this race for weeks, why give up now?

I know how hard it is to make yourself sit down and write that last paper, or go over your flashcards again, but believe me, it's going to be worth.  There is no better feeling than a job well done.  Work hard, and then give yourself the best reward you can receive, some time off.

Seriously, where has the time gone? Two weeks from now and I'll be chilling my grandparents lake house, or umpiring baseball every night.  But I can't do that until I do this...

So don't give up, get it done, summer is almost here!

Totus tuus,

LeAnn