Two down

Finals week is currently taking up all my energy storage.
We will see if I come out alive this time.
Yeah, I hope so, too.

Good news is:
Two down, four to go.

*praying* - - -
St. Thomas Aquinas, I slam dunked your final today. For that I thank you heartily.
But, say, could you, you know, put in a word for my math final, too?
Otherwise . . . well, honestly, . . . .
It's gonna be bad.
Amen.






:(
I hate math.

Pax, ppl - -
Emily

This Wonderful Man

Has been giving me a terrific headache.

*Ow*

St. Thomas Aquinas,

Pray for us.

An official post from the life of ME

Hmmm . . .

I've been going a little overboard with the pictures lately. So sue me. :)

The past couple of weeks have been as follows:

Mr. Thomas Hobbes was a slimy ignorant good-for-nothing. I prefer his striped cartoon namesake any day of the week. I just spent two whole weeks of seminar trudging through his "Leviathan" and I just about snapped. . . . and now I have to read Spinoza (who is already looking like he's missing a few bolts - and I haven't even finished the Preface) - I'm not so sure about this Junior Seminar deal. *sigh*

My Math tutor has revealed that he thinks Sesame Street, in it's earlier, worthwhile years, was full of formative clips that developed philosophical inductions to many first principles about our surroundings. HaHA! I knew there was some reason I was still so fond of those nostalgic Sesame Street Clips. I mean, who didn't love this one?

And nobody can forget all the educational clips (e.g. - "Near . . . FAaaaaR!", and "Is It Alive?") from your loveable furry old friend,

Grover. Along with scads of other clips from various characters with themes such as, "Air, Air, it's Everywhere" and "I Love my Elbows".

On to other topics:

I was miraculously able to write 1500 words on my philosophy paper draft yesterday. It just came spilling out onto the keyboard- I must've been, as Mrs. G would say, "kissed by my muse". I wrote another three hundred this morning but I've turned the draft in to Obsession #2 in order for him to tell me where I should expound. Better to do that than spend the energy writing frivolously and then have to delete it all in the end.

Over these past few days of much needed vacation time I've been, aside from working on my paper, crocheting a baby blanket for a friend who's pregnant (due in April or May), reading relievingly light material by J.R.R. Tolkien (a story entitled Farmer Giles of Ham) and talking in the commons with the handful of people left here on campus for the break.

I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My love to you all!!

Pax Christi,

ME

The Mystery

If sunset clouds could grow on trees
It would but match the may in flower;
And skies be underneath the seas
No topsyturvier than a shower.

If mountains rose on wings to wander
They were no wilder than a cloud;
Yet all my praise is mean as slander,
Mean as these mean words spoken aloud.

And never more than now I know
That man's first heaven is far behind;
Unless the blazing seraph's blow
Has left him in the garden blind.

Witness, O Sun that blinds our eyes,
Unthinkable and unthankable King,
That though all other wonder dies
I wonder at not wondering.

-G.K. Chesterton

My Week Has Been . . .

Well, . . . a picture says a thousand words.

Lo! I am come to autumn,
When all the leaves are gold;
Grey hairs and golden leaves cry out
The year and I are old.

In youth I sought the prince of men
Captain in cosmic wars.
Our Titan even the weeds would show
Defiant, to the stars.

But now a great thing in the street
Seems any human nod,
Where shift in strange democracy
The million masks of God.

In youth I sought the golden flower
Hidden in wood or wold,
But I am come to autumn,
When all the leaves are gold.

'The Wild Knight.' - G.K. Chesterton

< On campus, down below by the Hacienda. Taken last Friday afternoon with Mort's digital camera. Nice, huh?

I have a lot of seminar to read. Will post more later on.

Pax Christi,
Emily

A Hymn

A Hymn
by G.K. Chesterton

O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.

From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen,
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men,
From sale and profanation
Of honour and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord.

Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall,
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all;
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol
The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary were the world,
But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast,
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world's desire.)

The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown.
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down.

-G.K. Chesterton-

We are more powerful than God?

It's the age-old question:

"Could God create a rock so heavy that he couldn't lift it?"

And Mr. B's reply:

"After my reading of St. Thomas,

the answer would be quite plainly 'no'.

The question is more or less tantamount to asking,

'Can God do stupid things?'
And of course the answer is, well, 'no'.

It's contrary to his infinite wisdom.

And one would think that it were contrary

to our finite wisdom as well . . . .

*pause* *frown*
Nevertheless, you might still say,

'Well then, if I can do stupid things and God can't,

. . . . that means . . . . . .

HAha! I have a power God doesn't have!'

And to you I would say in reply,

'Yes, you do.

Congratulations, you idiot.'

*deep frown* "

A little humor for the day.

Will chat more when I have some . . . well, time . . .
*laugh*

Pax Christi,
ME

Today's excursion

Today me and two friends went to Los Angeles into the Fashion/Fabric/Flower district at about 8th and Maple streets. We went for material - a friend of mine needed some for a Eucharistic procession canopy. That was fun to buy for - tassels and beautiful curtain fabric. Nice. I went to obtain material for some skirts I've been meaning to make. I got about 9 yards of fabric - mainly cottons and linen. The district was just blocks and blocks of little shops, somewhat dingy but positively bursting with everything you could ever want and/or need. Yeah, it was a dirty area with freaky people walking around (many piercings, clothing not intended per thier gender, dread locks on white ladies - which is always wrong. Just lots of freaks.) - but there were interesting and genuine merchants (like cute little Jewish guys in old suits - there was one that was totally sweet), and lots cheap fabric. Truth be told, after all that shopping I found it somewhat irritating that all the stuff I had brought home was still only clothing in potentia. Here's hoping I have the skill and the patience to actualize my purchases into something I can wear. :) And I am exhausted from all the walking around. *sigh* Oh well. At least I'm on break - because . . . .

. . . . I had my Don Rags this week.

Definition-
Don Rags: our form of midterm. It's where all your tutors get together in a room and talk about you behind your back right in front of your face.

They really didn't have a whole lot to say to me, actually. I guess I've been doing pretty well. Mr. B and Mr. F just told me to hang in there and stay active in discussion. I'll do my best to follow their advice.

Oh yeah - definitely wasn't as tragic as 1st semester of freshman year:

Mr. R: "Miss . . . is wrong more often than anyone else in the class - but I intend that as a compliment, of course. I commend her for being able to open her mouth no matter what is going on in her head. I mean, we can correct her that way."

I felt SO complimented, I assure you. *roll of eyes*

There's a reason why Mr. R is not part of the PR committee. He's one of our oldest tutors and he is, after all, a rocket scientist (used to work for NASA) - he's cute in his own way but overall people just aren't his forte.

When planning today's expedition to the fabric district me and my friend realized that we needed a driver. (My friend has no licence - she never got around to it. I got my licence just a few months ago.) "You can drive now, right?" asks my friend. "Uuuh, only my '73 Dodge Dart, which doesn't have power breaks so the minute I brake a modern car I'm sure to give us both whiplash. And I really doubt I can handle the 101 and the 5." Talking to Obsession Number Two later on he told me he would physically restrain me if I tried to drive in California and if I made one false move to make him think that I was going to sneak off and do so he would find out what vehicle I would be using and let the air out of my tires. He says there is absolutely no way I'm driving in L.A.

Well, fine then.

In the end we got a guy friend of ours to drive us. Poor "Bryan". He was looking rather taxed by the end of the trip. We walked him all over the place, and SHOPPING, nonetheless, which is not a fave guy activity. But he did keep us from being harassed or mugged. I should write him a thank-you.

I should go work now. Only another hour left to do so. *whince* An hour can seem like a long time when you're really tired.

I love you all!
ME

Today . . .

. . . we have thunderstorms. That NEVER happens in this area. Mr. B. says he's been living here since 1959 and he's scarcely ever seen thunder and lightning, let alone seen it go on for a whole day. Says it reminds him of St. Paul Minnesota, where he grew up.

I have three minutes to get to dinner, so I'd best go. Wish me luck with my seminar on Descartes tonight - I have decided that I officially dislike the man. We're reading the "Rules for the Direction of the Mind" for tonight and . . . well . . more or less he thinks everything is and/or should be mathematically solved. I say that that is an exceptionally bad idea and I hope he rots. Mnah! (This moment of maturity brought to you by sleep deprivation - the constant companion of college students everywhere)

:) Pax Christi,
ME

Justifying the numerical order, according to priority, of my obsessions (see summary ^ )

No, I haven't been struggling with placing God first. That goes without saying - "For, clearly, among causes the final is the first." -Aristotle (and if that quote sounds self-contradictory to you I assure you it really isn't - it's one of those beloved paradoxes of Chestertonian fame; truth standing on it's head to get attention, if you will. I would summarize the four causes here but I don't want to bore everyone to tears.)

I haven't been struggling with placing my beloved second, either. Full well he (and pretty much everyone else of close accquaintance) knows how very much of a priority he takes in my life. Actions speak louder than words.

It's the third obsession I have been thinking about. Now, I'm in my third year of intensive Aristotelian/Thomistic training. I walk, talk, eat, breathe, and sleep Aristotetlian distinctions. My posts are sickeningly full of them (you poor individuals). How can I justify saying that Chesterton comes third and not Aristotle or St. Thomas? How?

Well, Chesterton is prior.

To ask the Aristotelian question: prior in what sense?

Well, first, he was prior in time - not literally, of course, but in the life of my mind, Chesterton was the common man with common sense that called me forth into philosophical inquiry.
Second, to jokingly take this distinction beyond it's more strict philosophical limits, Chesterton was prior to Aristotle insofar as he is more known to man . . . at least insofar as he was the common type of man and Aristotle was not . . . though ironically I might have to say that I personally find Chesterton's character as a human being to be both more known to man and more known by nature, which is a philosophical impossibility but it's a funny thing to say, anyway. ;)

Though, in comparing Chesterton to Thomas I cannot help but say that I think Chesterton would want to talk about St. Thomas as a common sort of man; a common brother in Christ who shared with him both proportion and sensibility. Likewise, I cannot help but think that St. Thomas is probably enjoying Chesterton's company in the beatific vision: two fat men with great sanctity and great genius - now there's some company I'd like to keep.

Nevertheless, Chesterton is first in my mind and my heart. I may be an extremely Aristotelian Thomist by the time they get done with me here, but first, and foremost, I will always be a simple and common Chestertonian.

And here's a poem for today, courtesy of Chesterton and his wisdom:

"By the Babe Unborn"
- G.K. Chesterton

If trees were tall and grasses short,
As in some crazy tale,
If here and there a sea were blue
Beyond the breaking pale,

If a fixed fire hung in the air
To warm me one day through,
If deep green hair grew on great hills,
I know what I should do.

In dark I lie; dreaming that there
Are great eyes cold or kind,
And twisted streets and silent doors,
And living men behind.

Let storm clouds come: better an hour,
And leave to weep and fight,
Than all the ages I have ruled
The empires of the night.

I think that if they gave me leave
Within the world to stand,
I would be good through all the day
I spent in fairyland.

They should not hear a word from me
Of selfishness or scorn,
If only I could find the door,
If only I were born.

So . . .

The lecture was really very good. Evidently our speaker from Friday night is becoming an expert on evil - writing a book on it, in fact. One thing about evil is that it is always a challenging and intriguing subject - extremely difficult, though. The subject he was examining in the lecture was, specifically, God's justice and original sin: whether God could be considered just for ordaining that mankind from the first parents would not be able to avoid sin.

It was an extremely interesting lecture. If anyone wants an audio copy just leave a reply here or zap me an e-mail and I'll pick up one for you. Hereby adding Mr. Robert Barry to the list of impressive, enthusiastic and relatively young Thomists who are brining America's advanced theological studies back to orthodoxy. I love Mr. B and Dr. McA, but I'm glad that all Thomists aren't quite as old as, well, dirt. ;)

I've also found a great coincidence - many great Thomists are enthusiastic Chesterton fans, as well . . . which would make sense, since Chesterton was to some degree a Thomist - insofar as he was a theologian or philosopher. He was mainly a journalist who specialized in common sense and the common man; which have, of course, inseparable ties to both the sciences of natural reason and the science of sacred doctrine - although the commonest common man has only a vague notion of what those terms should mean to him, as such.

But I wonder what Chesterton would say?

Have a great day!
Pax Christi,
ME

I need to learn to say no

What is it that possesses me to stay awake until all hours speaking to girls in my dorm about whatever? I mean, really. I already have what is turning into a rather nasty cold and what do I go and do? Stay up until 1:30 a.m. talking about this that and everything else with someone who dropped in to say 'hi'.

My Love has been chiding me all morning about learning to say "No, excuse me, but sleep is important to being able to function so if you would, please, . . . .". He thinks I should use the volleyball game time this afternoon to take a nap. He's probably right. What with my sinuses feeling the way they do I think it would probably not be good to take another volleyball to the face (which I did again last week, btw. But this time, a team-mate was able to hit it back over the net after it bounced off my face - and the other team was too shocked to return it after that so we ended up getting the point. It was rather ironic - everyone laughing and cheering me as I somewhat peevishly held my nose, the second week in a row. I do hope it doesn't happen again - somehow I just don't relish the thought of an entire season with my head so very much in the game.)

Well, anyway, we have a lecture here tonight. Boy o boy. The topic sounds, uuh, illusive.

Robert Barry, Providence College:
"Judge Between Me and My Vineyard: God and the Punishment of Original Sin"

Mmmmm. I think I'm bringing my knitting. You never can tell with this lecture series thing. Might be enthralling, might be so boring I nearly fall out of my chair as I doze. You never know. Knitting at the very least prevents the latter occurrence for the most part.

Much love to everyone!
In Christ,
ME

"There is but an inch of difference between the cushioned chamber and the padded cell."
-G.K. Chesterton

The ethics of the ancients

You know, Aristotle got a lot of things right . . . . I'm reading his work on Ethics right now and I'm impressed with his deductions on the whole, but . . . alas . . . his expectations over-reach what this world and mankind's fallen nature can realistically deliver without the assistance of salvific grace and the support of the 7 sacraments, if even then. You see, his definition of the virtuous man is the man who only desires that which is virtuous, period. He has not a single temptation, not one tiny stray thought or appetite. He never has to do subdue his desires with his reason because the two are in complete accord. St. Augustine claimed that such perfection existed only before the fall, and that now it cannot be reached on earth, even by the saints, since temptations exist for us all until we die. In short, we must fight the good fight until the fat lady sings because we will not be able to completely heal ourselves of concupiscience. Knowing that, I can't help but think of how depressingly dark and disappointing Aristotle's life and capabilities must have been to him, in the day-to-day struggle to be a truly virtuous man. How frightful it must've been to know how things should be and see that you cannot make it so, and to have nowhere to turn that you might fulfill what you know is your purpose as man, the rational animal.

On another note, Shakespeare is a pretty clever guy, you know? Reading Richard II and Henry the IV this week - I love the way he deliberately uses words with double meanings to convey ironic truths. He SO rocks!

Pax Christi,
ME

Volleyballs

. . . . shouldn't hit people in the face. It hurts.

Not wearing my earrings to my games anymore. The impact of volleyball was a little too close to my ears for comfort. Don't need my neck pierced, too.

Love to ya'll,
ME

Appreciating the diverse gifts of God

I never cease wondering at the separate and diverse talents God grants to the students I work with here at school. To some, He gives encyclopedic knowledge of minute distinctions in mathematics. To others, He gives wisdom in the higher sciences of philosophy and theology. To a few chosen individuals, He gives both. And yet, as I watch these individuals work and discuss in the classroom, I am reminded that none of us may take credit for any of our talents and gifts, as they were not ours to receive or choose to maintain except insofar as He willed it to be so. How much we have to thank Him for - and how wonderful it is that He doesn't leave it up to us! Only by His grace are we able to enjoy what He has given.

In Christ,
ME

Hot here

Since I created this blog I've realized my life is pretty boring without my classes. There is absolutely nothing interesting to say about my weekend. I've . . unpacked some more boxes . . . put up some little tube lights and curtains in my lonely room . . . spent time with obsession #2, spent some more time with obsession #2. In fact, right now I'm talking to obsession #2. Will spare you the details. ;)

Love you all!
ME

It's Friday

And that is cause for much rejoicing. I now have an entire weekend to accomplish all the things on my to-do list, and it's still early enough for me to retain the foolish hope that I might actually do so.

My class this morning was interesting but it was math, so I won't bore you trying to write something about that. The only thing worse than reading Aristotelian jargon is reading Euclidian jargon, so I will oblige my audience.

Last night's seminar was excellent. I finally figured out the rationale for 940 pages of madness - oh yes, I have some inkling of what Cervantes was trying to accomplish with his knight errant, Don Quixote. My tutor thought that I was on the right track when I proposed the thesis, and we all pursued the theory until we went over class time by 25 minutes. All the pieces just fell in place - brilliant, I say. Cervantes was brilliant, although it takes some serious thinking to figure out what he's up to, which is, after all, half of his point.

Have a great day, everyone!
ME

Reflections

Today I had some very intriguing classes. My laboratory tutor is absolutely brilliant - my only complaint is that the sound of his voice is so quiet and gentle it makes me want to sleep, despite being so anxious to hear all he has to say. Today, we discussed Galileo and the abhorrence of a vacuum. Mr. B says, "In response to the question, 'Why do atoms move?' Democritus simply replied 'Because they have room to, so nothing inhibits them from doing so.' It seems akin to answering the question 'Why are you having more mashed potatoes?' by saying, 'Because I have no reason not to.' - Is the absense of a reason to the contrary explanation enough for an activity? If it is, I say it's getting something for, well, nothing. *chuckle* "

In my Ethics course this afternoon we studied the necessity of conclusions within the science of ethics. This inquiry covers, mainly, whether or not the fact that the premises we begin with proceed from dialectic, wherein the only probable premise (as opposed to the necessary one, as in mathematics) is required, requires us to admit of relativism in the science of ethics. Going back to our freshman logic courses we found that this is not the case, in fact it is far from it, since dialectic is the path of inquiry by which we discover all first principles, and although our conclusions can never be considered more certain than probable, that does not mean every conclusion must be treated as if it were doubtful, or that all conclusions are equal, since some premises may be more probable than others depending on who generally accepted them to be true (the many as opposed the the wise, for example). . . . . So relativism is just plain illogical taken as a blanket statement. I'm just realizing that I'm throwing out a lot of Aristotelian jargon. I apologize for that. It's just SO exciting!!! I could type five more pages on this . . . heck, I could write a thesis on this . . . but I dunno if I will. ;)

Another interesting topic of discussion in Ethics class was whether the young are fit for the study of ethics or not, since they lack experience (Aristotle claims that they are not the proper audience for lectures in this science, mainly for this reason). Although most of the class was under the age of 25, we were able by stringing together rational principles and working off of our tiny little bit of experience to understand why the young, dare we say, WE, might not be the best audience for the science we are entering into. The main reason for this is because the intellectual principle that is necessary for ethical study must be habituated to governing the passions (thank you Mr.M. - you're brilliant) - - - the young are not so terribly good at that, simply for lack of experience in which they might have the opportunity to instill that habituation. With this revelation we became less offended - it's not so much because we're evil - just that we haven't had a lot of practice at being good. That we were all fully prepared to admit to.

So, that's my day so far. Off to read more seminar reading.

Love to ya'll - -
ME

a post

Well, I was unprepared for posting on a blog this evening, but here goes, since this looks like a great way to let friends and family know how my days are going.

Today I finished all my school work in the afternoon, before dinner. Do you know how often that happens to me? Try never. This living alone thing might not be so bad after all.

Love you all!

ME