Classical Music

On Life

For the first time ever, Dr. H and I donated to public radio.

And not to the news station, which we enjoy, but to the classical music station, which I’ve been playing on my morning and evening commutes. I find it calms the nerves.

Ahem. Calms the nerves.

Calms the–COME ON, FOLKS! MOVE IT!

Yeesh. I may have a slight problem when it comes to driving in rush hour traffic. But seriously, the music does help. I play the piano, and though I’d rather play contemporary songs, such as “Let it Go” or “Pure Imagination,” I find myself rocking out to Symphony No. 5 I. Allegro Con Brio and drumming my fingers on the steering wheel to Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D.

We also recently subscribed to the hard copy newspaper. To me, they both scream, “I’M AN ADULT!”

[So I threw it on the ground!]

I hope that made sense to you. If not, enlighten yourself with this ridiculous SNL short with Andy Samberg.

On Faith

At the beginning of the year in my Bible study, we pick out virtue cards from a deck and work on that particular virtue throughout the year. I swirled the cards around and plucked out generosity.

Interesting.

One, on a monetary level, I’ve been tightening my belt and encouraging Dr. H to do the same to build a cushion for when we buy a house. Three days after that, I was offered a full time position. You can read into the situation however you’d like, but to me, it was kind of, “Stop letting ‘house’ consume your thoughts, Monica. It’s okay if ‘house’ doesn’t happen when you want it to. No one’s going to die. Think about others first; give back.”

Two, on a personal level, I can be generous with my time, more specifically being present in the moment.

Want to know what gets my goat? It’s when I’m talking to someone and the person reaches for his or her phone to pull up goodness-knows-what. I can only imagine there’s someone else out there who feels the same way. I know I’ve done it speaking with Dr. H. In fact, a couple days ago, I wanted to show him this chateau that’s being renovated in the south of France. As I grabbed my phone off the kitchen counter, I realized what I’d done and told him it could wait. As he was on his way out for the night shift, that’s when I quickly pointed out the beautiful architecture, landscape, and hidden gems they’ve captured on their blog and Instagram.

Note: being generous with my time definitely extends beyond my marriage.

Lent has begun. And I completely missed out on making gumbo or something else Cajun-related for Mardi Gras, but that’s not the point now, is it?

During this season, we ask God to change our hearts. Fr. C explained a little bit about the different virtues, gifts, and charisms of the Holy Spirit, which can help us grow closer to Him and draw others to Him as well.

I’ll let you in on a secret: when I went through confirmation as a freshman in high school, I could’ve cared less about Catholicism. I was fulfilling the sacrament to please my mother and to check another “church thing” off my list. I never rebelled (the battle hymn of my tiger mother prevented that), but it wasn’t until I was 20 that I started taking my faith a little more seriously. I started asking questions and reading. A couple months after Dr. H (then, Mr. H) and I started dating, I knew something was different. Beyond his general good looks, big brain, and fun-loving personality, I was drawn to his faith. I knew back then that I’d need a strong faith leader in our home (yes, I knew within a couple months that I was going to marry Dr. H) and I’m completely blessed to say that’s still the case.

Now, as for changing my heart, I’ve never really considered the virtues, gifts, or charisms–inherent or developed–in my life. Was I sick and missed that chapter in religious education that day? Well, here we go.

On Call

It’s becoming a pattern: I write when Dr. H is on night shift. But do you know what else is a pattern? I buy granola bars around this time as well. I guess it’s my concerted effort to make sure he has a healthy enough of a snack when the cafeteria closes at night. I’d rather he NOT be nocturnal–he’s missing out on sun!–but I think it’s starting to “get easier” when he’s off saving lives and I’m at home entertaining our cat. Or more likely, doing homework, housework, or both.

Mostly because I love him, trust Him, and know that life can’t stop just because we’re not together. I have a feeling I may eat my words when we have children, but for the time being, it’s really about cherishing each other in the time you’re given.