I dont know how many of you were lucky enough to recieve Father Beaver's recent email regarding the use and abuse of alcohol, but if you have not had an opportunity to-- as he says, "wash your ears out with this", please email me at work broach@roachlaw.com, and I will send it to you. You may all have thought to yourselves from time to time, without necessarily expressing it in a crowd or among confidants, just what Father has been up to on this life-journey of his that has been filled with some, or at least a couple, profound difficulties. I have to say that, despite the fact that it is significantly challenging for me to be so up front by writing and publishing this email, the words of his letter were about as to the point and meaningful-- word by word-- as anything I have read in the last several years I can remember. I encourage you all as my cousins to first read this letter, and then to digest this letter, by committing its essence to your basic daily perspective, and make sense out of it as if it were a mandate. There are several key components to Father's letter that are-- I submit from my perspective only-- directly inspired by the life of Christ, and may in fact, be His Words. I have had many opportunities to talk at length with Father Beaver. Yet, I have never heard such profoundly personal and meaningful things come from him (and of course, we all know how many honestly great things he has to say ...). All I am asking from my cousins is that you read and reread this letter knowing that the content is important, relevant, and one hundred percent on point, and use it to form your opinions. I dont know that I have ever been accused by any of you of 'force feeding' a belief or opinion, or a set of values for that matter, (yes, I know I attempt heavily at being persuasive in a variety of often unimportant areas-- a roast for a different day/) but if there were a time that I would take responsibility for, and hope it were true, that I am being dogmatic and directing, it would be only in the context of this issue and these statements by our cousin. I doubt many of you would react differently than I did when I read this letter with such awe and emotion, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to let you all know, as an oldest cousin, that I found it more meaningful than much else in recent memory written by anyone.
bpr
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
ITALY 2007!
Hello family!
I thought this would be an absolutely appropriate time to write a little blog about our Italy trip, being 5am and awake for the past hour with jet lag still! :)
We left on Friday the 12th. Had a direct flight from Seattle to Paris, and then a flight from Paris to Rome. We were all very excited and only packed carry-ons, which I am not used to doing, but am very happy we did so! We got into Rome at about 8pm. It took us some time to find our "apartment" we were to stay at, as the contact man put 18 as the house number on the email, instead of 81...we were so confused! When we did finally find Giuseppe, our host, we were surprised to find that we were staying on the second floor (first floor was described by Giuseppe as "you must excuse me...I am making a construction site here." ??!!!) of a building with many flats. We stayed in a room the size of a dorm with six beds of different heights lined up one next to the other with about an inch in between each bed and about 6 inches between the ends of the bed and the wall! It was a surprise to say the least! We luckily were given ONE clean sheet for a bottom sheet and all slept snuggled in our sweats and sweatshirts using our hand towels as blankets (which we brought in case the places we stayed didn't have towels provided, such as this place. So the towels were wet!). HAHA, we stayed at this place for three nights and it definitely grew on us, although I don't know if we would recommend it to other travellers! :)
Saturday, we spent the day walking around Rome...AFTER we all accidentally slept in until noon! We saw the ruins, including the pantheon and colosseum, and went to the secret "keyhole" in a random garden in Rome, which had a view of three countries: Italy, Vatican City, and Malta (???Right???). It was so cool! We walked through numerous piazzas and of course, ate amazing italian food for every meal!
Sunday we woke up early so that we could walk to the Vatican and make it in time for daily Mass at the side chapels...hoping we would find one in English. After walking around the almost empty St Peter's, we happened upon a very young Californian priest! It was great! Us kids split up the readings (soooo cool to say that I have read in St Peter's!) and had a great personal homily about the church and some of it's secrets. After Mass, we ran over to the Vatican Museum and waited in line for two hours until it opened (and no, we weren't even close to the start of the line!) We finally saw the amazing Sistine Chapel. After that, we went back to St Peter's, climbed to the top of the dome, and went in tons of their little stores. We headed back home in the evening.
On Monday we woke up early and packed up to head off to Assisi. Assisi was my favorite town this trip. (I have been to italy once before). It's the cutest town built into the side of a hill and it just soo homey and quaint. We went in about 20 churches, they are on each block, and each one was it's own little treasure. Of course, we went into St Francis- gorgeous, and St Claire's-where her uncorrupt body lays! It was crazy!
Tuesday, we took the train to Padoua (took about 6 hours). Unfortunately, I cought some virus and was vomiting most of the day. We arrived in Padoua in the afternoon. We went to St. Anthony's, which has much more of an Eastern European influenced church style. It was very beautiful. The rest of the fam will have to fill you in about this city, as I checked in early to get over my sickness.
Wednesday was Venice day! We took a water bus on the Grand Canal all the way to San Marco's at the edge of the city. The church was incredible, and to our surprise, we recieved a free tour in english about almost every detail about the church. It was awesome to know the symbolism and history of the paintings and church. The tour guide told us we are lucky we didn't come the week before as the tide was very high and we wouldn't have been able to tour the church! After the church, Bridget and I helped ourselfs to some shopping, and actually ended up getting split up from the rest of the fam. After wantering aimlessly around the streets of Venice, and trying to soak up as much as we could about the city, we all met up at 6 to take the train to Florence.
Thursday we woke up in Florence at a youth hostel. Unfortunately for the first night, we were split up, girls in a random girls room and boys in a random boys room. (had booked to be alltogether in a 6 bed room, but showed up too late for our reservation, so they cancelled it!) We found the coolest cafe with amazing cappucinos and pasteries that morning. We climbed the Duomo and went to the market. We walked over te Pont a Vecchio and ate gelatto. We met up with Sonja in the evening, toured her pennsione, and went to the well known restaurant La Spada (Lizzie's FAV!). The food there is incredible!
Friday we met up with Sonja again and just toured around again. We went into Santa Croce, where Michelangelo and Dante are buried. Lots of history with that church, and Sonja was a great tour guide! The rest of the day, we mostly shopped, ate gelatto on the triangle bridge, and packed up for the flight home the next day!
Saturday we woke up very early to catch our flight from Flo to Paris. It was a loooong, but smooth day. We were welcomed home by Dom, with dinner already made for us by Aunt Theresa. So wonderful!
We all loved our trip and can't wait to go back! Kevin and Bridget, if I missed anything, please feel free to add more stuff.
I'm going to try to get some more shut eye before the sun comes up.
~Cait
I thought this would be an absolutely appropriate time to write a little blog about our Italy trip, being 5am and awake for the past hour with jet lag still! :)
We left on Friday the 12th. Had a direct flight from Seattle to Paris, and then a flight from Paris to Rome. We were all very excited and only packed carry-ons, which I am not used to doing, but am very happy we did so! We got into Rome at about 8pm. It took us some time to find our "apartment" we were to stay at, as the contact man put 18 as the house number on the email, instead of 81...we were so confused! When we did finally find Giuseppe, our host, we were surprised to find that we were staying on the second floor (first floor was described by Giuseppe as "you must excuse me...I am making a construction site here." ??!!!) of a building with many flats. We stayed in a room the size of a dorm with six beds of different heights lined up one next to the other with about an inch in between each bed and about 6 inches between the ends of the bed and the wall! It was a surprise to say the least! We luckily were given ONE clean sheet for a bottom sheet and all slept snuggled in our sweats and sweatshirts using our hand towels as blankets (which we brought in case the places we stayed didn't have towels provided, such as this place. So the towels were wet!). HAHA, we stayed at this place for three nights and it definitely grew on us, although I don't know if we would recommend it to other travellers! :)
Saturday, we spent the day walking around Rome...AFTER we all accidentally slept in until noon! We saw the ruins, including the pantheon and colosseum, and went to the secret "keyhole" in a random garden in Rome, which had a view of three countries: Italy, Vatican City, and Malta (???Right???). It was so cool! We walked through numerous piazzas and of course, ate amazing italian food for every meal!
Sunday we woke up early so that we could walk to the Vatican and make it in time for daily Mass at the side chapels...hoping we would find one in English. After walking around the almost empty St Peter's, we happened upon a very young Californian priest! It was great! Us kids split up the readings (soooo cool to say that I have read in St Peter's!) and had a great personal homily about the church and some of it's secrets. After Mass, we ran over to the Vatican Museum and waited in line for two hours until it opened (and no, we weren't even close to the start of the line!) We finally saw the amazing Sistine Chapel. After that, we went back to St Peter's, climbed to the top of the dome, and went in tons of their little stores. We headed back home in the evening.
On Monday we woke up early and packed up to head off to Assisi. Assisi was my favorite town this trip. (I have been to italy once before). It's the cutest town built into the side of a hill and it just soo homey and quaint. We went in about 20 churches, they are on each block, and each one was it's own little treasure. Of course, we went into St Francis- gorgeous, and St Claire's-where her uncorrupt body lays! It was crazy!
Tuesday, we took the train to Padoua (took about 6 hours). Unfortunately, I cought some virus and was vomiting most of the day. We arrived in Padoua in the afternoon. We went to St. Anthony's, which has much more of an Eastern European influenced church style. It was very beautiful. The rest of the fam will have to fill you in about this city, as I checked in early to get over my sickness.
Wednesday was Venice day! We took a water bus on the Grand Canal all the way to San Marco's at the edge of the city. The church was incredible, and to our surprise, we recieved a free tour in english about almost every detail about the church. It was awesome to know the symbolism and history of the paintings and church. The tour guide told us we are lucky we didn't come the week before as the tide was very high and we wouldn't have been able to tour the church! After the church, Bridget and I helped ourselfs to some shopping, and actually ended up getting split up from the rest of the fam. After wantering aimlessly around the streets of Venice, and trying to soak up as much as we could about the city, we all met up at 6 to take the train to Florence.
Thursday we woke up in Florence at a youth hostel. Unfortunately for the first night, we were split up, girls in a random girls room and boys in a random boys room. (had booked to be alltogether in a 6 bed room, but showed up too late for our reservation, so they cancelled it!) We found the coolest cafe with amazing cappucinos and pasteries that morning. We climbed the Duomo and went to the market. We walked over te Pont a Vecchio and ate gelatto. We met up with Sonja in the evening, toured her pennsione, and went to the well known restaurant La Spada (Lizzie's FAV!). The food there is incredible!
Friday we met up with Sonja again and just toured around again. We went into Santa Croce, where Michelangelo and Dante are buried. Lots of history with that church, and Sonja was a great tour guide! The rest of the day, we mostly shopped, ate gelatto on the triangle bridge, and packed up for the flight home the next day!
Saturday we woke up very early to catch our flight from Flo to Paris. It was a loooong, but smooth day. We were welcomed home by Dom, with dinner already made for us by Aunt Theresa. So wonderful!
We all loved our trip and can't wait to go back! Kevin and Bridget, if I missed anything, please feel free to add more stuff.
I'm going to try to get some more shut eye before the sun comes up.
~Cait
Sunday, October 21, 2007
HOME AT LAST!
Hello everyone!
This is NOT an ITALY post yet, but just a late post letting everyone know that I am back living in the NW. Miguel accompanied me on the long drive home at the beginning of this month. We stayed in Tucson for a few nights for his friend's wedding, then a night in Vegas (at NY,NY hotel. Never been before to Vegas, it was pretty awesome!), then in Portland and finally home! I am happy to be back in the NW to start a new chapter in my life, though I was very sad to leave San D. I am going to be starting my job in about two weeks working through a travelling company as a per diem nurse at Swedish on the Critical Care floors (not to be confused with ICU.) Since I am working through a travelling company, I have the option at anytime to just pack up and take a travelling assignment wherever I please. The per diem option, which I am going to be doing at least until early spring, does not require me to work any holidays and I basically call in every week and give them a list of the shifts I want to work that week. It's an AWESOME option for this time of year (winter holidays) and I will reassess if I still want to be per diem or travel somewhere in the spring. And on top of it all, I won't miss out on FUN FAMILY FUNCTIONS anymore! SO HAPPY and EXCITED to be back around!
Feel free to visit me at my new home on West Lake Samammish. Some of you already know it as Uncle Ed and Aunt Liz's! :)
Gotta get to bed, this jet lag is killin.
PS: Italy blog will come soon!
PPS: Colleen, BLOG THE WEDDING! Still so sad we missed it. :(
This is NOT an ITALY post yet, but just a late post letting everyone know that I am back living in the NW. Miguel accompanied me on the long drive home at the beginning of this month. We stayed in Tucson for a few nights for his friend's wedding, then a night in Vegas (at NY,NY hotel. Never been before to Vegas, it was pretty awesome!), then in Portland and finally home! I am happy to be back in the NW to start a new chapter in my life, though I was very sad to leave San D. I am going to be starting my job in about two weeks working through a travelling company as a per diem nurse at Swedish on the Critical Care floors (not to be confused with ICU.) Since I am working through a travelling company, I have the option at anytime to just pack up and take a travelling assignment wherever I please. The per diem option, which I am going to be doing at least until early spring, does not require me to work any holidays and I basically call in every week and give them a list of the shifts I want to work that week. It's an AWESOME option for this time of year (winter holidays) and I will reassess if I still want to be per diem or travel somewhere in the spring. And on top of it all, I won't miss out on FUN FAMILY FUNCTIONS anymore! SO HAPPY and EXCITED to be back around!
Feel free to visit me at my new home on West Lake Samammish. Some of you already know it as Uncle Ed and Aunt Liz's! :)
Gotta get to bed, this jet lag is killin.
PS: Italy blog will come soon!
PPS: Colleen, BLOG THE WEDDING! Still so sad we missed it. :(
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Honeymoon Stories
Thought there should be a blog space available for colleen and Brian to jot down a few romantic tales from the great HI. So, the question is: Did Brian sit around and watch Boston in the playoffs all week, or did Colleen set good precedent by turning off the TV, and take him instead on 'long walks in the woods.'
??
bpr
??
bpr
Monday, October 08, 2007
TC Prep Performing Arts
I am in the Performing Arts class this semester at Prep, and we are working on a play that we will be performing on October 30th. The play is Jekyll & Hyde, and it will be really awesome. Monica Powers, James Powers, Will Virden, Mary Davis, and Alivia Bierschbach are all in it, singing, and it sounds really good. So mark it on your calendars, because it would be really nice if you all could come see it.
Thanks! Love you guys.
Thanks! Love you guys.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
