7 Quick Takes vol. 3

1.

Two weeks to go until I leave for South America. TWO weeks. I'm not panicking, not at all....

I'm essentially packed, but I'm worried that I'm forgetting something essential. If you were spending two weeks doing service in Chile (which will be CHILLY- possibly below freezing at night), and a week at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, what would you forget to bring?

2.

And in those two weeks before I leave, I have to complete three major assignments for school. I've totally started. ahem.

3.

We bought a used Exercycle off the internet, and I'm actually enjoying using it. My new mini-workout regime (which makes it sound professional, but it's NOT!) includes five minutes in top gear on the exercycle, one hundred jumps and one hundred torso twist punchy things. Who knows if it actually accomplishes anything, but it gets me puffing and takes less than ten minutes. My very favourite part is that it does not involve braving the wintry deluge outsides, nor even changing my clothes!

4.

I've challenged myself (and a couple of brave friends) to only wear skirts or dresses on Sundays. For me this seemed pretty easy, seeing as I really only own one pair of pants anyway, but the winter chill is  making it more difficult than I originally anticipated. I want my jeans back!

I got the idea from this post over at More Like Mary- More Like Me. Defining Beauty's 31-Day Dress Dare a few years back noted:

I believe fully that wearing dresses and skirts helps women look, feel, and act more feminine. When I wear a skirt or dress I act differently, move differently, feel different, and really think men treat me different. I act, move and am treated more like a lady. We live in a culture where femininity is constantly being challenged. It is time we take back femininity and show the world what it really is: being a reflection of the Blessed Mother.

I personally believe that making a conscious effort to dress not only modestly, but beautifully for our Lord every Sunday shows Him the respect he deserves. I don't mean to say that wearing pants does not give glory to God, but it does, to some extent, deny Him the fullness of our femininity. God made us women for a reason!

In fact, if I think about it, the only time I've not worn a skirt or a dress in the past few weeks has been to dance on a Monday night. Of course, obligatory school skirts does make it easier.

5.

I just sent in my application for NET next year!!!

It took me a lot longer than I anticipated: It was filled with hefty questions like "Recount in detail how and when it was that you came to know Jesus in a more personal way." Oi vey! 

I'm so excited! I hope I get in! 

6.

Last week's Quick Takes had SO many pageviews, including some from countries I hadn't even heard of! It almost scared me. I'm used to this blog being read by a maximum of four people, all of whom I know personally. As I write this, there's someone in the US reading my blog, according to the 'Stats' section. Aaah, the internet.

Oh, and thank you to the couple of sweet commenters! Yes, the Sound of Music was spectacularly fun, and I loved every minute of it. I still haven't stopped singing the songs (then again, I've been singing them since I was two, so not much change there!).

7.

I'd love (when, someday in the very distant future, I have time) to go through all my old blog posts and garner some inspiration. I feel like my writing has become brief and superficial (evidence: this post), and I wish I could bring back some of the literary profundity which has lately been lacking.

In the mean time,

AMDG

Kate x

Linking up with Conversion Diary