Feeling a little rundown this Monday. It’s been rather busy recently and I’m not sure I ever quite caught up on my sleep.

However, I did have an unusually full and good weekend.

Ever since I moved back to Charleston, I’ve been a lot more of a homebody than I was. My social life has been much more toned down than it has been in a long time.

I think there are a few reasons for this, but I don’t know that it has been a healthy development.

In any case, this weekend was a welcome change.

My friend Lucia had an All Saints Day party, which was well-attended and generally a good time. People dressed up as saints (the minimal requirement was a halo); the Virgin Mary, Bl. Pierre Giorgio, St. Peter, Saint Cecelia, Mother Teresa and others all made an appearance.

Saturday morning my friend Eleni and I woke up early to watch the sunrise on the beach. It was a cloudy day and I’m not sure we were in the prime spot to see the sunrise because we seemed to miss it somehow but it was still nice to get up early and get some fresh air by the sea.

We went to Mass and then breakfast where some other girls met up with us. I didn’t leave until that afternoon. It was so nice to catch up with my friends–some of which I hadn’t really talked to in a while. We spoke about our lives, the culture and what we feel called to at this particular time.

It was beautiful and encouraging.

On Sunday my mother, stepdad and I drove to Columbia to meet up with my siblings and their s/o’s for brunch and to see the special Van Gogh exhibit at the art museum downtown.

Brunch at the Gourmet Shop (one of my absolute favorites) was good but the wait was much too long. The art exhibit was beautiful. I wish we could have stayed longer, I only really got to see half of it before we had to head back.

Van Gogh’s fascination with the peasant/worker and their ordinary lives re-iterated what I’ve been learning from Flannery O’Connor about the importance of seeing and embracing reality: the beauty and the difficulty alike.

So–lots of fun and excitement (at least for me) has left me feeling weary and with a slight headache–I really hope I perk up because this will be another full week with lots to look forward to!

I hope your weekend was full of good things.

1. This interview of Fr. Mike on the Matt Fradd Show
   I started listening to Matt Fradd a lot more this summer. His mission is so needed and he does it beautifully. He is smart, humble, funny and his podcasts are entertaining as well as informative. This interview with Fr. Mike was especially enlightening on a variety of topics and I think anyone can take away something from it. It’s a long one but so worth the listen; really.
   
2. Dilbert
   When I was in middle school, my mom got a Dilbert calendar. Every day there was a new Dilbert joke. I loved reading them and couldn’t wait to see what the next day’s comic was each week. Last year I started reading him online again and now it has become part of my morning routine. Other than being hilarious, it’s also a good reminder not to take things too seriously–which I often desperately need.
   
3. “She hats bats in the belfry“
   Having bats in the belfry is another way of saying ‘they’re nuts’. Apprently belfry is another word for a belltower–or at least the topmost part. I discovered this a few weeks ago and thought it was incredible. I really can’t wait to use this phrase.
   
4. Merriam-webster word of the day
   Another part of my morning routine (once I’m at work) has become checking Merriam-webster’s word of the day. I think it’s so fun to learn new words for some reason–also I’m hoping it might help me with my crossword puzzles (fingers crossed).
   
5. Classical music
   Today I am attending a requiem Mass which I am very excited about, I don’t think I’ve ever been to one before but I know Faure’s requiem will be incredible and can’t wait to hear it in person. Tomorrow, a few friends and I are going to a chamber music concert and I am also very much looking forward to it. It’s been a long time since I attended a classical music concert (it was easier in college when they were on campus and cost $5). I think it will be a lovely and life-giving outing.

Anyway, that’s it for now. I hope your week is off to a good start!