An I-wish-I-was-a-priest experience.
Topic: CPE '04

Let me tell you a tale of a small yet affective affirmation of my vocation.

Tonight I accompanied Ben, our evening chaplain (3:00pm - 11:00pm shift), to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU--pronounced `sĭk-ū'), not to be confused with Medical ICU (MICU--pronounced `my-kū'), to be with a Catholic family when they visited their loved one in SICU. The patient, whom I will call Joachim Xavier, was unconscious and not doing well, so the visit was going to be more the family just being there with Joachim Xavier. Ben introduced me to the family and then stepped aside to let me minister to them in a way that he couldn't...he was not Catholic, which is one reason why he suggested I come. As I stood there at Joachim Xavier's bedside with the family opposite me, my mind was racing. I wanted to say something to get the conversation ball rolling, but what can you say. "How are y'all doing?" just doesn't work well in this situation. I mean the family present was comprised of four females and I didn't want forty sharp claws digging into my flesh for my insensitivity, because of course they weren't doing too well. After a period of silence, which I found uncomfortable, I fell back on a CPE Intern Chaplain's standard phrase: "Is there anything I can do for y'all?" This was the only thing my mind could find to say that was least likely to result in bodily harm to my person. The immediate response was: "Pray." I offered a prayer modeled after a couple of prayers for the dying and the family of the dying. Seeing the papally blessed rosary the daughter placed in Joachim Xavier's hand I offered to pray a rosary with the four ladies, of varied relation to Joachim Xavier. --I don't know if "papally" is a word...there is a red squiggly line under it as a hint. I may have made it up, but oh well, deal with it.--I had offered to do it in the waiting room after visiting time was over, because I figured they wanted some time alone with Joachim Xavier.

This is where the title comes in. Throughout the visit, I achingly desired to do more for them...to perform a more priestly function, i.e. Anointing of the Sick or give a priestly blessing. Knowing my place, I did what I could do and offered to continue to pray with them and to offer up a rosary with them. They made it known that praying the rosary was more desirable to them to do it right there in the presence of Joachim Xavier; so while other families visited with their loved ones we prayed a rosary without concern of being heard by others. The end of the rosary coincided with the end of family visiting time. I excused myself and left the bedside with the priestly desire remaining. I know that one day, God willing, I will be able to offer the sacraments, almost upon request, as well as priestly blessings and such.

Now for some F-U-N.
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: Funny/Cool

Check out the following link. It isn't fun unless you have your speakers on.

http://www.linksrv.com/pull.php

(Call it an infantile response, but I could stop doing it, even in a public place.)

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Some interesting things about Lubbock:

1. Everyday is Sunday here, or at least for the cars on the street. They all drive blindingly slow. Our minimum speed is their maximum. If the speed limit is 40 miles an hour, they stop short of passing this limit and most often go well slower. This does not apply solely to the little old ladies who take up two lanes with the barges they drive; it also applies to many others in their missiles for cars. I fear that they buy these speed demons ignorant of their true potential, because they take them puttering down the major thoroughfares of Lubbock.

2. The drainage system of Lubbock is its streets no matter how major. Unlike the drainage systems where the water empties into an underground system, here the water can go nowhere but the low spot, until it evaporates, granted many low points are parks designed to gather the water. The low spots in the streets retain water to be barely disturbed by the slow moving cars until it evaporates. (Contrarily, I am like a little boy doing what I can to splash the water around.)

3. It is easy to get around Lubbock for the most part because the roads were set up to a grid running North, South, East, and West. The lettered and named roads run North and South and the numbered roads run East and West.

What in the world is a Jamaica?
Topic: CPE '04

I was invited to a Jamaica in the grand city of Idalou, TX. For you white guys and gals, that is pronounced like ha-my-ka. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but accepted the invite to go with Fr. Peter, the priest chaplain at CMC. For those of you who want to know what a Jamaica is before I continue with my experience of it, I will tell you. If you don't want to know just now skip the next sentence and come back to it if you still are clueless. A Jamaica is basically a church festival/picnic that lasts all day and night pretty much. Okay, now for my experience. Idalou is about 9 miles east of Lubbock, so we are that much farther out in the middle of no where. We arrive at 2:00 to the already bumping Jamaica, which stared at about 12 noon. He fills in at the parish when the pastor is on vacation, which explains why we don't take three steps without someone walking up and talking to us. We walked from booth to booth seeing what they had to offer, primarily foodwise. Lucky me, most of the booths were selling food, from tamales and burritos to turkey legs and grilled corn-on-the-cob. Meanwhile, a Tejano band was playing and everyone was sitting under tents listening. Without the tents the people would have been baked to a crisp in two hours with the heat. I felt like I was at a Hispanic version of the Shirmporee, the parish picnic at my home parish in Palacios. The band situation was different though. A band would play a short set and then switch out with another band. This would go on until about 9:00pm. When I found this bit of information I started praying that we would not stay the whole time. I have never been to any church picnic that lasted more than three to four hours. I don't know how they do it, though I did also find out that the parish only has a Jamaica once every two years. Father and I stayed for the greater part of the evening. I tried to keep my head under the tents as much as possible because God has started taking my head sun screen away...that is my hair for those of you who didn't get it. I still ended up getting burned and had to gingerly wash my hair (that is the one left) for a week. I looked like the number 3 billiard ball. A main difference of this Jamaica and other church picnics down south is there was no auction. Of course there was a raffle. I think that is a pre-requisite for picnics. Anyway, that is the basis of my experience. I will go now because there is a band practicing VERY LOUDLY and my brain is being bombarded with noise with is hindering my thinking ability. Kind of like that book (1984) where a loud noise would sound in someone's ear to make him forget things. Well the snare drum is doing that to me...owe...owe...owe...owe. Got to...owe...ummmm can't remember...

The Day of Differing Events
Topic: CPE '04

Today I saw the most beautiful thing and experienced something of nostalgia. First, fifteen minutes into lunch I was paged to support a family whose loved one was passing away. I did not fully know what I was getting myself into, and was not ready for what I would witness. It was the most beautiful thing, I think the good Lord has allowed me to witness. Many family members were in the room and were given an opportunity to say their good-byes and then the lady peacefully passed away. I could not have asked for a better event at which to be present. I felt an amazing calm as this child of God was called home. I can only hope and pray to go so peacefully. This summer's CPE is giving me many irreplaceable experiences that I would not trade for anything in the world.

The day was capped off with an evening of nostalgia at the drive inn theater. Lubbock is home to a two screen drive in theater that plays some of the newest releases with not so new releases. My case was unique, because it was two relatively new releases--"Spiderman 2" and "The Notebook." The first movie, of course, was an exciting comic book come to life, but the second was a mushy love story that I pegged within the first ten minutes and even slept through parts of it without missing anything. A unique aspect of this theater is that it broadcasts the movie soundtrack via radio waves. It was a great way to cap off the day and the workweek.

I Want to Donate Blood...Honest.
Topic: CPE '04

Covenant Medical Center was accepting donations of blood, with the promise of a shirt--not one-size-fits-all--and the possibility of a metal mug. I went all excited up to the place of donation and expected to have no problems like always; even with questions like have you reused needles after someone else for any purpose? Um...no! Getting rejected was the furthest from my mind, but the unthinkable happened. Evidently, drinking after someone is cause for rejection...by finicky girls, but not from donating blood; however, recently visiting a place like Honduras is. Who would have guessed that doing the Lord's work would hinder me from donating, but of course this was the Lord's work in another country...a country that just happens to have a high risk of Malaria.

I was not at all disappointed with the rejection, though I had wanted to help out with a donation. Nevertheless, I didn't leave empty handed. The check-in ladies offered me a shirt anyway, just for offering to donate. I didn't get any cookies though. Sadness. :-( The good news is I get to donate in March of 2005...or at least attempt to do so again.

Midland Weekend
Topic: CPE '04

Fr. Rodney, a priest friend of mine, invited me to see the drum & bugle show, "Thunder in the Dessert," there in Midland. Michael Earthman and I were not able to get their early due to a late communion request at the hospital. We arrived just before the festivities started with time enough to eat the burgers Fr. Rodney got for us. The facilities, outside of which we ate and where the event was held, were phenomenal. Someone told me that the state-of-the-art stadium cost in the millions of dollars. Four bands competed, and I couldn't help but judge their performances myself. You may be surprised to know, that my judgment was identical to the judges. It was a fun evening that was capped off with an ice cream and a dog's tongue...not at the same time. The dog tongue was compliments of Fr. Rodney's overzealous black lab puppy, Shadow. Of course I pretty much got on the floor and wrestled with the lovable pup. The rest of the lazy weekend...which of my weekends aren't lazy? For that matter what day is not lazy?...incorporated a tour of Odessa, the hometown of Fr. Rodney, an evening with some Midland friends of Fr. Rodney, and of course two Masses celebrated by Fr. Rodney himself. It was nice to get away from Lubbock for a weekend, though the scenery didn't change much.

One interesting site we also saw was West Texas' version of Stone Hinge, which is located outside the Midland-Odessa College.

My First Wind Storm
Topic: CPE '04

Well I witnessed my first wind storm. Luckily I was not in it, though I was told not to open my mouth during one unless I want to be swallowing mouth-fulls of dirt. It was cool to see from the 8th floor of the hospital. It happened last night when I was on call. Light posts, trees, signs, etc. were blowing around in the wind as loose garbage tumbled by. It was an interesting sight to see. People here in Lubbock must be used to them because the traffic did not stop or even decrease. Everybody just keep going about their business. Mother nature even gave me a light show during the wind storm. Lightning would light up the whole sky and for a brief second I could see as if it was high noon. Even on a rare occassion, a bolt would strike the ground. I stared for about twenty minutes in wonder at the marvel I was witnessing and, of which, no one seemed to take notice. Those poor blokes.

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For those of you enamored with my life and wonder if different things happened, like for instance...hypathetically speaking...not that anyone has asked proving either my exciting life claims or that there is little going on in this person's life that they are living vicariously through mine (Courtney Kana)...okay continueing with this completely hypathetical question of "So, did you have that funnel cake?? :)"

The answer to this is...unfortunately no. The July 4th festivities didn't start around here until 7pm and by the time 7 rolled around I didn't feel like going out there. My tastesbuds still have yet to forgive me.

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Lastly, just in case you haven't noticed but if you would like you can comment on my blogs by clicking the link ("post your comment") below the correct blog entry; however, know this, I have final veto power...so if you write complete dull and boring comments...poof it will disapear faster than you can audibly and correctly pronounce "&%*$(#(%&." :-)

At Long Last...My Myers-Briggs Personality
Topic: CPE '04

After being corrected by my ISFJ friend about my personality type, I figured I would put to rest your anticipation and confusion since everyone knows that, "ESPJ is not a Myers-Briggs combination." So for the great number of people who knew this bit of information and were miffed about it, my true Myers-Briggs Personality Type is...drum roll please, "ddddddddddddd"...ESFP. What does this mean you ask? Well, according to Myers-Briggs it stands for and the Preference Clarity (Slight, Moderate, Clear, Very Clear):

E - Extroversion - Very Clear
S - Sensing - Clear
F - Feeling - Very Clear
P* - Perceiving - Slight

* The questionnaire instrument labeled me an ESfJ, but J only slight. After a morning of exercises that will help clarify this personality type, I realized that I actually lean toward the P side.

People with this personality type (ESFP) are generally:

Outgoing, friendly, and accepting. Exuberant lovers of life, people, and material comforts. Enjoy working with others to make things happen. Bring common sense and a realistic approach to work, and make work fun. Flexible and spontaneous, adapt readily to new people and environments. Learn best by trying a new skill with other people.


So I hope that this has lived up to the anticipation you have had waiting to learn my personality type. Maybe you have learned something new about me or only found out what you already knew. Well, now you know, and knowing is half the battle...GI Joe.

Weekend in Amarillo
Topic: CPE '04

This is the long awaited blog about my weekend trip to Amarillo...okay no one has been looking for it, but still here it is.

Earthman and I went to Amarillo the first weekend we arrived in Lubbock. We had no premonitions for the weekend and just let it happen. We met up with my friend, Leigh Ann, and saw what Amarillo had to offer. The first was a jeep tour through Paladuro Cannon, the second largest cannon in the United States.

Next on the list was a little vandalism--keying cars. We went to see what some artist with more money than he knows what to do with did. He only did what you would have done if you were in his shoes. He bought ten early model Cadillacs and buried half way in the ground standing them up vertically on the nose. He even invites people to paint them up, but without a can of spray paint we resorted to keying the cars and scratching our names in the multiple layers of paint. After climbing on the cars for a picture op we headed to our last event.

The last stop on our tour of Amarillo brought us to The Big Texan, a restaurant that offers a 72 ounce steak for free if you eat it the roll, salad, and side in one hour; otherwise, it costs $60. The steak didn't appear at all threatening as I look down upon it sitting on the plate before me. I started thinking, "I can do this," but then realized that I didn't want to and decided that the closest I would get to the steak was peering at it in the display case. The real reason we were at this restaurant was for the menu that had a coupon for a free belt buckle from Cavendar's Boot City with the purchase of anything. Wanting a straw hat, I went straight to the back and found the hat I wanted, which would give me the free belt buckle. Only then was my trip complete and I could then return home with a feeling of completion.

July 4th Weekend
Topic: CPE '04

Fr. Brendon's "check-up trip" went according to plan--he didn't find out about the summer skeletons. :-) Fr. Brendan came, ate, drank, and had a good time. He left earlier than we (Earthman and I) had originally thought he would. The evening started with drinks at the bishop's house with the bishop as the bartender. It was kind of like the joke with the pope as the limo driver. The bishop pulled out his hardware puzzles to stump us as we "tied one on."--What a great combination: booze and mind teaser puzzles, both of which are mind numbing in their own way.--We soon left for The 50 Yard Line even without having figured out all the puzzles. I guess alcohol causes one's attention span to shorten or one's threshold of giving up to lower. I was given the opportunity to drive Fr. Brendan to the restaurant and answer all of his questions about the CPE program and my experiences. I hope I gave the correct answers. The meal was as expected...a very good steak and filling sides...and the blueberry muffenettes. I know, I know, the carbs...oh the horror! The evening ended in the same room that it began, but the entertainment differed.--Remember we are now with the bishop so keep your thoughts chaste.--The final entertainment of the evening was watching the Lubbock News with the bishop. Now you must realize this is Lubbock not Houston; the news entails endless talk about the dry weather or the rain that flooded the drainless streets. Fr. Brendan and Fr. Rodney left for Midland after finding out the Astros lost.

This weekend will bring very little excitement, maybe a visit downtown to the 4th Festivities. Fr. Clint also will be in town late tonight for the night as he "needs a place to stay on his way elsewhere." I just may have to eat a "white trash" snack...a funnel cake.