Saturday, July 19, 2008
WYD Day 4
Current mood: bouncy
Category: Religion and Philosophy
CHRISTIAN MOSHPITS are the best way to meet people. xD
Today I brought my Camera! I made up for lost time and began taking photos like mad, and took photos with new friends and almost everyone I randomly hugged. It was the Stations of the Cross today and once again we were designated an area where both our vision and aural clarity were obscured with incovenient placement of both screens and speakers. Ergo, the youth group didn't really absorb or engage themselves with the actual Stations of the Cross. It was a shame though, and I was also quite disappointed in myself for being too sleepy. I fell asleep on the floor and on Veronica's shoulder during the commencement of it. When I woke up I realised that they had only accomplished one station, which wasn't too bad I guess. The acting was beautiful though, great acting and I managed to acquire some close up shots of the action. Usually I'd sleep on the way from Blacktown to Central, but today Tim came with us. Of course, when Tim's around - life's a party. Him and his excellent ear were able to grasp that Croatian Alleluia so of course our youth group adopted that "ALLELUUUUIIAAAAAA!!!" with relentless zeal. We sang it all the way to Central, even contriving our own lyrics LOL. "Paulie is dry!!!! PAULIE IS DRY!" Dry. The word of the day. "Dry" according to Jhunlee and Joan, means "Lame." It was an incredible start to the day.
Oh and I gave my question to the Bishop this morning! He didn't answer it correctly though - he wrote off my question merely as a question of semantics and linguistics more so than the revolution of religion. For those of you wondering, Tim and I had this COLOSSAL fight over theology and Catholicism a few weeks ago (I had never been more insulted in my whole life) about whether changing the lyrics and passages in the Bible from "HIM" to "GOD" really mattered. I said that it made God more relatable, more generic and equal for women rather than permeating the Bible with patriarchal undertones. Tim's argument was, was that it was changing religion to suit the person, not the person conforming and rising to the challenges of their religion. It is a valid argument, I understand. But honestly "HIM" to "GOD" is not a massive thing. It's just semantics. My query to the Bishop was, 'What is the Church's stance on those specific alterations in this century, is it merely giving concession or accomodating for the rise in feminism, or the New Age concept of God as an entity rather than a person?' He didn't answer it, I'm afraid, so alas it is one again unreconciled. Doesn't matter really, I'm not too bothered by it these days. There were other excellent questions such as, 'How do we reconcile 'Free Will' and Predestination?'
I saw heaps of people today from school. All you Rooty Hill YFC people! LOL I'm hugging Mary, MJ, Anne, Kaye and as Anne walks by she's like "Have you finished the Maths Assignment yet?"
"NOPE! Questions 1 a) and b)"
"HI-FIVE!"
The concert was excellent though.As I said, Christian Moshpits are so funny! This whole group of guys walked passed and they were discussing starting a chant. This guy's like "I say, "How Long?" and you say "Too Long!"" so they decided to practice and the leader was like, "How Long?!" nobody answered, so I yelled randomly in passing, "TOO LONG!" They all cracked up, and cheered, giving me Hi-fives! xD They finally got Hillsong to play - with music we actually KNEW. LOL Everyone was moshing to "One Way Jesus." I love that song. You could scream it out at the top of your lungs and you'd still sound in melody and time. It awesome dancing and talking to people along the way, forming a massive Conga Line of the youth group and this guy was like "When does it end???" They also had a drama going on with Lifehouse's "Everything" playing in the background. I LOVE THAT SONG. Too bad no one around me knew it, so I was there singing passionately and Michael is like "HOW DO YOU KNOW THE LYRICS???" I must say, the drama was EXCELLENT. So I'm a corny, romantic, puddle of mush inside, and I almost cried. Yes. I'll admit to that. I became emotional. In my defence, I'll say that my faith is an integral part of me. We couldn't stay for the rest of the concert though, if we wanted to be home before 12, we had to leave. On the train - another party! We sang that Croatian Alleluia once again (I pitied the commuters), all the guys lost their voice and we finally created an OASIS chant. We sang so many songs and "This little light" went on for a century and a half.
It was an awesome night! Awesome experiences. Very cold though. Toni was clinging to me in desperation. She was hugging me so tightly for warmth that people began to think we were lesbian. No, lol we were just freezing. But Toni is PERFECT hugging height - not to mention heaps of people there have awesome hugs! Took heaps of photos, will upload soon. But I must go, I have to pack my bag for tomorrow - sleeping under the stars!!! WOO! I'm so excited! But the ten km walk with all my stuff? Not so much. But it's for my faith, I must remind myself. I also need to get a decent sleep for once! Especially since tomorrow will be a LOOONG DAY.
Goodnight!! :)
Dana XOXOXOXOX
Friday, 22 August 2008
WYD Day 3
Friday, July 18, 2008
WYD Day 3
Current mood: chipper
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Whoaaa the Pope is in Sydney and apparently I was on foxtel! WHOO!
It was a tad expected though, the camera guy was RIGHT IN MY FACE. But of course, I had to look unfazed, nonchalant and entirely in the moment if he were to continue filming me that night on the opening mass. Today was pretty good, the excitement is beginning to recede - the highlight of the day was having the Pope himself about five metres away from me and starting a chant in approximately three different nations! :D This morning, I had to do the reading, quite nervous but it kept me awake and defended my body against the dreaded onset of a microsleep. In any case, standing there before that crowd of people reminded me that I love speeches. Despite the terribly nerve-wrecking prelude to said speech, there's something so exhilarating about being up there, knowing that people are drinking in your every word. Mass was satisfying though, except for the fact that the girl sang "Here I am to Worship" in a very strange and high key that was impossible to both grasp the melody from, and reach with my alto voice.
In any case, we trained it to the city and I slept all the way on Toni's shoulder from Blacktown to Central lol, once again alighted at Wynyard and walked from there to Barangaroo. This walk was MUCH more convenient as the crowds of the Opening Mass weren't present. However it was still fun chanting and singing with pilgrims from across the world. People were chanting their patriotic cries in several languages (the German one is so cool by the way), us Aussies constantly shouted our "Aussie Aussie Aussie - OI, OI, OI" while everyone from the States had their "U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!" Anyway, I thought it would be appropriate in the prelude to the Pope's official arrival to get the "Benedicto!" Chant going (Benedict XVI - Man I want one of those BENEDICTO 16 shirts). So randomly I yelled as loud as I could "BENEDICTO!" *Clapping rhythm follows* at first no one answered and I was like "Shame man! Rejected!" But then a Spanish woman followed with a response of "BENEDICTO!" so there I was leading the chant with the Spanish, American, German, Italian and of course us Aussies. It felt so cool!!!! o(>____<)"o
It was so peculiar at Barangaroo though, it was as though they had sent everyone in Blacktown or the Parramatta Diocese to the same area as I saw heaps of people I knew, met up with them, chatted and everything. The Pope's arrival was weird though, didn't see a thing. But when he was up there talking, he was so cute! (In the non-aesthetic sense, in the old man "aaw" sense, just to clarify) I loved his accent, and his English was much better than expected. The shades of nuance in the terms he used, and the specific connotations with carefully selected words were able to unlock new ideas and meanings to notions I had believed all my life. He gave me new perspective on so many things simultaneously, they were truly words of wisdom. But my gosh! That man is such a linguist! He can speak like 5 or 6 different languages! I envy his linguistic abilities! So fluent! So awesome! When he toured around in that cute Pope-Mobile of his (OMG I think of Mr. Grace and his discomfort at saything those words when I think 'Pope-Mobile') I was like 5m away from him!! Woo! His presence here in Australia very much became a reality to me.
In any case, after his Holiness had left to tour around Sydney we had to wait a while for Bianca, Jay, Joan and Colista to return. Lucky. Got to be on the boat with the Pope. (Lol that almost rhymes!) The concert was alright, but as TJ mentioned, they were all "No Frills" acts. Ones of relative fame, but no one really knew them. It was still cool to jump around with randoms though. GOODNESS! The amount of Free Hugs! I can't believe how many people I've hugged today! Countless! There was that guy today, "Anyone from NSW gets a 75% better hug!" and he hugged me first! XD and then there was that charging group of Melbourne guys! xD Who ran up to us, and then we all ran up to them (the WHOLE youth group) and then this guy really hugged me like bear hug and then the youth group joined in and we were squashed into this patriotic sort of mosh-pit jumping up and down. Only problem was, was that because everyone squashed into us, we were still hugging and jumping and unable to untangle..... unfortunately well, I would NEVER rub up against like that unless we were.... married or something! Thankfully, this is a Catholic event where all sense of the sexual is completely irrelevant and/or ecclipsed by religious energy.
I slept on the ride home, we returned home quite early today! Instead of the usual ten o'clock, we left at approximately seven-thirty. OMG We met the Croatians on the bus! I swear, they are the most jubilant and indefatigably exuberant people you will ever meet! I just spent the last few hours trying to google that "Alleluia" song they always sing. It is the CATCHIEST tune, and they sang non-stop from the station to the bus, on the bus, all the way to the church and even out of the bus. Then they started their dancing circle. And oh! LOL that adorable Croatian guy who asked for the ball, with the broken english but who's HELLA PRO at soccer can play the drums! I just wanted to hop into their dancing circle, but I was too exhausted.
All in all, today was a good day. :) It wasn't as eventful and we didn't do much, but we saw the Pope, and that was an accomplishment. I mean, who can say that they were there on Pope Benedict's first visit to Australia. It's surely something to remember! I must get to bed! Oooh Ill bring my tambourine and a camera tomorrow! To upload take heaps of photos! :D
Until tomorrow!
Dana xoxoxoxox
WYD Day 3
Current mood: chipper
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Whoaaa the Pope is in Sydney and apparently I was on foxtel! WHOO!
It was a tad expected though, the camera guy was RIGHT IN MY FACE. But of course, I had to look unfazed, nonchalant and entirely in the moment if he were to continue filming me that night on the opening mass. Today was pretty good, the excitement is beginning to recede - the highlight of the day was having the Pope himself about five metres away from me and starting a chant in approximately three different nations! :D This morning, I had to do the reading, quite nervous but it kept me awake and defended my body against the dreaded onset of a microsleep. In any case, standing there before that crowd of people reminded me that I love speeches. Despite the terribly nerve-wrecking prelude to said speech, there's something so exhilarating about being up there, knowing that people are drinking in your every word. Mass was satisfying though, except for the fact that the girl sang "Here I am to Worship" in a very strange and high key that was impossible to both grasp the melody from, and reach with my alto voice.
In any case, we trained it to the city and I slept all the way on Toni's shoulder from Blacktown to Central lol, once again alighted at Wynyard and walked from there to Barangaroo. This walk was MUCH more convenient as the crowds of the Opening Mass weren't present. However it was still fun chanting and singing with pilgrims from across the world. People were chanting their patriotic cries in several languages (the German one is so cool by the way), us Aussies constantly shouted our "Aussie Aussie Aussie - OI, OI, OI" while everyone from the States had their "U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!" Anyway, I thought it would be appropriate in the prelude to the Pope's official arrival to get the "Benedicto!" Chant going (Benedict XVI - Man I want one of those BENEDICTO 16 shirts). So randomly I yelled as loud as I could "BENEDICTO!" *Clapping rhythm follows* at first no one answered and I was like "Shame man! Rejected!" But then a Spanish woman followed with a response of "BENEDICTO!" so there I was leading the chant with the Spanish, American, German, Italian and of course us Aussies. It felt so cool!!!! o(>____<)"o
It was so peculiar at Barangaroo though, it was as though they had sent everyone in Blacktown or the Parramatta Diocese to the same area as I saw heaps of people I knew, met up with them, chatted and everything. The Pope's arrival was weird though, didn't see a thing. But when he was up there talking, he was so cute! (In the non-aesthetic sense, in the old man "aaw" sense, just to clarify) I loved his accent, and his English was much better than expected. The shades of nuance in the terms he used, and the specific connotations with carefully selected words were able to unlock new ideas and meanings to notions I had believed all my life. He gave me new perspective on so many things simultaneously, they were truly words of wisdom. But my gosh! That man is such a linguist! He can speak like 5 or 6 different languages! I envy his linguistic abilities! So fluent! So awesome! When he toured around in that cute Pope-Mobile of his (OMG I think of Mr. Grace and his discomfort at saything those words when I think 'Pope-Mobile') I was like 5m away from him!! Woo! His presence here in Australia very much became a reality to me.
In any case, after his Holiness had left to tour around Sydney we had to wait a while for Bianca, Jay, Joan and Colista to return. Lucky. Got to be on the boat with the Pope. (Lol that almost rhymes!) The concert was alright, but as TJ mentioned, they were all "No Frills" acts. Ones of relative fame, but no one really knew them. It was still cool to jump around with randoms though. GOODNESS! The amount of Free Hugs! I can't believe how many people I've hugged today! Countless! There was that guy today, "Anyone from NSW gets a 75% better hug!" and he hugged me first! XD and then there was that charging group of Melbourne guys! xD Who ran up to us, and then we all ran up to them (the WHOLE youth group) and then this guy really hugged me like bear hug and then the youth group joined in and we were squashed into this patriotic sort of mosh-pit jumping up and down. Only problem was, was that because everyone squashed into us, we were still hugging and jumping and unable to untangle..... unfortunately well, I would NEVER rub up against like that unless we were.... married or something! Thankfully, this is a Catholic event where all sense of the sexual is completely irrelevant and/or ecclipsed by religious energy.
I slept on the ride home, we returned home quite early today! Instead of the usual ten o'clock, we left at approximately seven-thirty. OMG We met the Croatians on the bus! I swear, they are the most jubilant and indefatigably exuberant people you will ever meet! I just spent the last few hours trying to google that "Alleluia" song they always sing. It is the CATCHIEST tune, and they sang non-stop from the station to the bus, on the bus, all the way to the church and even out of the bus. Then they started their dancing circle. And oh! LOL that adorable Croatian guy who asked for the ball, with the broken english but who's HELLA PRO at soccer can play the drums! I just wanted to hop into their dancing circle, but I was too exhausted.
All in all, today was a good day. :) It wasn't as eventful and we didn't do much, but we saw the Pope, and that was an accomplishment. I mean, who can say that they were there on Pope Benedict's first visit to Australia. It's surely something to remember! I must get to bed! Oooh Ill bring my tambourine and a camera tomorrow! To upload take heaps of photos! :D
Until tomorrow!
Dana xoxoxoxox
WYD Day Two
Thursday 17th July
OMGAH. TIRED. BACK ACHING.
But damn was today interesting. I woke today absolutely exhausted had to run to church (NOT a good thing on three hours sleep and an empty stomach) to be there on time for the Catechesis and then Jay tells me that I have to bloody perform five songs (NEW SONGS WHICH I HAD NEVER HEARD BY THE WAY) in front of all the American Pilgrims! Can I hear you say, WHAT??? And THEN apparently I hear that I'm reading for mass! What! So of course there I am, empty stomach, completely paralysed with lassitude and I must be so invloved. THANKFULLY However, I managed to learn those songs quick snap and I pawned off my reading to Jeanette so I think I'm reading tomorrow (today, technically).
However the Catechesis session was enlightening and the Bishop was highly entertaining, very amusing man. :) Eventually we survived it, had lunch and travelled to the city via train at approximately 1:00. Man you've gotta love those Croatians! I love their music and their traditional dancing in Hyde Park. Seriously, Hyde Park. That's where I was ALL DAY. Primordially it was due to the youth activities in the area and we were registered to pay homage to the incorrupt body of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati (I think I got that right). However the line was SO EXTENSIVE. Any longer and it could have measured the cicrumference of the equator and then some! We were waiting tediously for approximately two hours (becoming bored enough to initiate a sort of Irish jig), we had to pass security and THEN we were able to enter the Cathedral. It was so peaceful in there, I could have spent the whole day in there in some meditative bubble of quiet reflection.
On other notes though, it was excellent unexpectedly meeting friends there and of course making thousands of new ones! In the terribly and exhaustingly long wait for dinner we lined the paths of Hyde Park and decided to treat EVERYONE that walked passed with a celebrity welcome, rushing to greet them and hi-fiving and hugging randoms. "Spreading the love" as it were. The nuns watched with amusement and loved what we were doing. Growing up a devout Catholic in such a diverse world, it's comforting to know that there's so many people who share what you believe! Seriously, this has been the best way to meet people - run up to them and hug them! They were all so lovely! I would speak more about it but I am so exanimate at the moment and I have to practice my reading for tomorrow!
Okay, really have to get to bed.
Oh yeah! OMG The train home! We were the loudest carriage! Singing and dancing with all these Iraqi pilgrims! They were so fun!! PARTY ON THE TRAIN GUYS!
I am VERY impressed with the CityRail. They're actually succeeding. I applaud them! :)
Until tomorrow!
Dana xoxoxox
OMGAH. TIRED. BACK ACHING.
But damn was today interesting. I woke today absolutely exhausted had to run to church (NOT a good thing on three hours sleep and an empty stomach) to be there on time for the Catechesis and then Jay tells me that I have to bloody perform five songs (NEW SONGS WHICH I HAD NEVER HEARD BY THE WAY) in front of all the American Pilgrims! Can I hear you say, WHAT??? And THEN apparently I hear that I'm reading for mass! What! So of course there I am, empty stomach, completely paralysed with lassitude and I must be so invloved. THANKFULLY However, I managed to learn those songs quick snap and I pawned off my reading to Jeanette so I think I'm reading tomorrow (today, technically).
However the Catechesis session was enlightening and the Bishop was highly entertaining, very amusing man. :) Eventually we survived it, had lunch and travelled to the city via train at approximately 1:00. Man you've gotta love those Croatians! I love their music and their traditional dancing in Hyde Park. Seriously, Hyde Park. That's where I was ALL DAY. Primordially it was due to the youth activities in the area and we were registered to pay homage to the incorrupt body of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati (I think I got that right). However the line was SO EXTENSIVE. Any longer and it could have measured the cicrumference of the equator and then some! We were waiting tediously for approximately two hours (becoming bored enough to initiate a sort of Irish jig), we had to pass security and THEN we were able to enter the Cathedral. It was so peaceful in there, I could have spent the whole day in there in some meditative bubble of quiet reflection.
On other notes though, it was excellent unexpectedly meeting friends there and of course making thousands of new ones! In the terribly and exhaustingly long wait for dinner we lined the paths of Hyde Park and decided to treat EVERYONE that walked passed with a celebrity welcome, rushing to greet them and hi-fiving and hugging randoms. "Spreading the love" as it were. The nuns watched with amusement and loved what we were doing. Growing up a devout Catholic in such a diverse world, it's comforting to know that there's so many people who share what you believe! Seriously, this has been the best way to meet people - run up to them and hug them! They were all so lovely! I would speak more about it but I am so exanimate at the moment and I have to practice my reading for tomorrow!
Okay, really have to get to bed.
Oh yeah! OMG The train home! We were the loudest carriage! Singing and dancing with all these Iraqi pilgrims! They were so fun!! PARTY ON THE TRAIN GUYS!
I am VERY impressed with the CityRail. They're actually succeeding. I applaud them! :)
Until tomorrow!
Dana xoxoxox
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
WYD DAY 1
Tuesday 15th July 2008
Day 1 of World Youth Day, Sydney Australia
Receive the Power. The theme of World Youth Day, today it was evident to me for the first time in my whole World Youth Day experience ever since last year that the 'Holy Spirit' is truly evident in the youth of THE WORLD. Today was superfluously transcendental, beyond anything I have ever experienced. There was people from several countries en masse. It took us two to three hours to walk from Wynyard Station to Barangaroo because it was so packed! We were like - to use the cliched analogy - sardines packed in a can! Luckily we had the Croatian people who are accomodated at our Parish singing their songs with their drums, tambourines and guitars. Not to mention, their Croatian flag aprroximately the size of a basketball court. Damn those songs are catchy. There was even a skywriter in the sky writing "Welcome." Once it finished, everyone cheered and waved to the helicopters overhead. It was amazing, there was an exodus of youth from around the world, derived from so many nations - various that I had never encountered previously. For example, we met these people from Aruba. Aruba! In the Caribbean! I had never even heard of it before. A multitude of flags from upteen nations waved in a sea of international patriotism. Everyone was proud of their country, from the Aussies constantly crying "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - OI OI OI!!" to the Mexicans yelling, "MEHICO MEHICO MEHICO!!" The general atmosphere was mind blowing. Although I think there existed not only pride but an underlying joy and gratitude that this faith of ours has dissented across this globe. Such an atmosphere of joy, love, geniality and of course - youth.
With the Croatians and their bellowing musicality, the office workers from George street were in a daze, taking out their camera phones snapping photos and videos of us. We waved as we passed, especially at the helicopters. Beach balls were being thrown and we randomly conversed to international friends, learning different languages. The office people found it highly amusing, and were throwing us lollies out the window. It was so cool. Barangaroo itself was huge. I saw Cee!!! She was so cute coming up and running to me, we found people we knew and met TONNES of people from around the world and got them to sign our flag. The atmosphere there was so amazing like in the concert after the mass, you could just dance with randoms and that would be cool, you could dance, sing, sway, start a Conga line and learn dances from every nation you could think of just because you wanted to and people would not care. They'd join right in with you! I made so many new friends! Not to mention, we should alter the name of WYD from WYD to "Hot Catholics of the World Unite!" *wink wink Greta* (American/Croatian/French Pilgrims - highly ATTRACTIVE). It was such an awesome concert with Guy Sebatstain, Gary Pinto, Paulini and Damien Leith. Everyone was moshing and enjoying the music.
The mass itself however although long, it was quite excellent. The songs went forever but they were sung beautifully - it was reverent and a hush of solitude had swept over everyone. Kneeling though was an ABSOLUTE KILLER. That concrete was harsh on the knees. I liked the Homily though, very age appropriate. BUT OMG. Kevin Rudd speaking Tagalog was HILARIOUS! He did apologise though, which made it even funnier! I swear there was so many filos there! We even saw filos from Canada! The Italian and Austrian people were so cute! LOL When Kevin Rudd addressed everyone in German the heap of German people in front of us were going "Awww, he's alright." A very so-so accent. But it was pretty cool of him to address us in various languages. The food was OK. Of course we were served meat pies, typical Aussie Cuisine. Dinner was... interesting. We were served chicken curry in POUCHES. When I first saw it I was like: "WHAT is THAT!" I swear it resembled spontaneous re-examined food choices aka vomit. But it wasn't too bad. Mind over matter.
LOL Got to meet up with Francisco and all these other people which was excellent, hadn't seen them in a while. Oh yeah, and I was on the huge screen! The guy captured this huge close up of me singing 'Recive the Power' ROFL. I couldn't believe it! It was such an awesome night! Going home was even more of an experience as these few pilgrim girls crowded around the window of this bar and started singing Spice Girls along with the bar music. The Canadians had also commented that the city was very beautiful! So point 1 for Sydney! This day has simply been overwhelming! I know that I'm absolutely knackered but I can't wait until tomorrow. Dancing with randoms is fun lol! We missed the fireworks but it was okay, the train ride home was peaceful but lol at Wynyard station I started the chant. Darren's like "How do I start a chant? I dunno how to start a chant!"
Me: "Like this: GIMME AN O!"
Short silence... "Um O!"
Me: "GIMME AN A!"
YOUTH GROUP: "A!"
Me: "GIMME A S!"
YOUTH GROUP: "S!"
"GIMME AN I!"
"I!"
"GIMME AN S!"
"S!"
"WHAT'S IT SPELL!!!!!?????"
"OASIS!!!!!!"
Me: "See Darren, that's how you start a chant."
Jay: "Ha, the Velascos start everything"
LOL.
Gotta go. Have to straighten my hair - for practical reasons. It will be SO much more managable that way. Curly hair is just too stressful amidst all this! xD So I have to go, takes an hour and a half! Tomorrow, Catechesis and lunch!! And of course YOUTH FESTIVALS! Can't wait to meet more people! There was so much energy there, unbelievable!
Until tomorrow!
- Dana xoxoxox
Day 1 of World Youth Day, Sydney Australia
Receive the Power. The theme of World Youth Day, today it was evident to me for the first time in my whole World Youth Day experience ever since last year that the 'Holy Spirit' is truly evident in the youth of THE WORLD. Today was superfluously transcendental, beyond anything I have ever experienced. There was people from several countries en masse. It took us two to three hours to walk from Wynyard Station to Barangaroo because it was so packed! We were like - to use the cliched analogy - sardines packed in a can! Luckily we had the Croatian people who are accomodated at our Parish singing their songs with their drums, tambourines and guitars. Not to mention, their Croatian flag aprroximately the size of a basketball court. Damn those songs are catchy. There was even a skywriter in the sky writing "Welcome." Once it finished, everyone cheered and waved to the helicopters overhead. It was amazing, there was an exodus of youth from around the world, derived from so many nations - various that I had never encountered previously. For example, we met these people from Aruba. Aruba! In the Caribbean! I had never even heard of it before. A multitude of flags from upteen nations waved in a sea of international patriotism. Everyone was proud of their country, from the Aussies constantly crying "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - OI OI OI!!" to the Mexicans yelling, "MEHICO MEHICO MEHICO!!" The general atmosphere was mind blowing. Although I think there existed not only pride but an underlying joy and gratitude that this faith of ours has dissented across this globe. Such an atmosphere of joy, love, geniality and of course - youth.
With the Croatians and their bellowing musicality, the office workers from George street were in a daze, taking out their camera phones snapping photos and videos of us. We waved as we passed, especially at the helicopters. Beach balls were being thrown and we randomly conversed to international friends, learning different languages. The office people found it highly amusing, and were throwing us lollies out the window. It was so cool. Barangaroo itself was huge. I saw Cee!!! She was so cute coming up and running to me, we found people we knew and met TONNES of people from around the world and got them to sign our flag. The atmosphere there was so amazing like in the concert after the mass, you could just dance with randoms and that would be cool, you could dance, sing, sway, start a Conga line and learn dances from every nation you could think of just because you wanted to and people would not care. They'd join right in with you! I made so many new friends! Not to mention, we should alter the name of WYD from WYD to "Hot Catholics of the World Unite!" *wink wink Greta* (American/Croatian/French Pilgrims - highly ATTRACTIVE). It was such an awesome concert with Guy Sebatstain, Gary Pinto, Paulini and Damien Leith. Everyone was moshing and enjoying the music.
The mass itself however although long, it was quite excellent. The songs went forever but they were sung beautifully - it was reverent and a hush of solitude had swept over everyone. Kneeling though was an ABSOLUTE KILLER. That concrete was harsh on the knees. I liked the Homily though, very age appropriate. BUT OMG. Kevin Rudd speaking Tagalog was HILARIOUS! He did apologise though, which made it even funnier! I swear there was so many filos there! We even saw filos from Canada! The Italian and Austrian people were so cute! LOL When Kevin Rudd addressed everyone in German the heap of German people in front of us were going "Awww, he's alright." A very so-so accent. But it was pretty cool of him to address us in various languages. The food was OK. Of course we were served meat pies, typical Aussie Cuisine. Dinner was... interesting. We were served chicken curry in POUCHES. When I first saw it I was like: "WHAT is THAT!" I swear it resembled spontaneous re-examined food choices aka vomit. But it wasn't too bad. Mind over matter.
LOL Got to meet up with Francisco and all these other people which was excellent, hadn't seen them in a while. Oh yeah, and I was on the huge screen! The guy captured this huge close up of me singing 'Recive the Power' ROFL. I couldn't believe it! It was such an awesome night! Going home was even more of an experience as these few pilgrim girls crowded around the window of this bar and started singing Spice Girls along with the bar music. The Canadians had also commented that the city was very beautiful! So point 1 for Sydney! This day has simply been overwhelming! I know that I'm absolutely knackered but I can't wait until tomorrow. Dancing with randoms is fun lol! We missed the fireworks but it was okay, the train ride home was peaceful but lol at Wynyard station I started the chant. Darren's like "How do I start a chant? I dunno how to start a chant!"
Me: "Like this: GIMME AN O!"
Short silence... "Um O!"
Me: "GIMME AN A!"
YOUTH GROUP: "A!"
Me: "GIMME A S!"
YOUTH GROUP: "S!"
"GIMME AN I!"
"I!"
"GIMME AN S!"
"S!"
"WHAT'S IT SPELL!!!!!?????"
"OASIS!!!!!!"
Me: "See Darren, that's how you start a chant."
Jay: "Ha, the Velascos start everything"
LOL.
Gotta go. Have to straighten my hair - for practical reasons. It will be SO much more managable that way. Curly hair is just too stressful amidst all this! xD So I have to go, takes an hour and a half! Tomorrow, Catechesis and lunch!! And of course YOUTH FESTIVALS! Can't wait to meet more people! There was so much energy there, unbelievable!
Until tomorrow!
- Dana xoxoxox
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Confirmed fears
I discovered something today.
Something which upset me, greatly.
I knew it though, I'm not as gullible or as faithful as everyone thinks, anymore. It simply confirmed my fears, an underlying thought I knew but didn't want to believe. I've been noticing things, several things, about people. They don't think I notice, but I do. They don't think I care. I always have. Maybe me being self-centered and conceited has been my defense mechanism against that - because I didn't want to see the truth. I wanted to be ignorant. I didn't want to know that deep inside, I neglected - FAILED to help someone I loved.
That hurt. But being as pathetic as I am, I couldn't confront the truth, and so I maintained my ignorance, my conceitedness, my wild fantastical stories centred on me - because I knew that if I kept them entertained enough, maybe we'd all just forget that like an iceberg, regardless of what's on the surface there's a depth beneath people that nobody sees until you hit it - and the next thing you know you're sinking like the Titanic. That's when you realise that they've been sinking all along and you've done absolutely nothing to stop it - you're too caught in your own life, own hopes, own dreams, own damn relationships.
Truth hurts. Like a bitch.
But I'm NOT going to be ignorant any longer.
Something which upset me, greatly.
I knew it though, I'm not as gullible or as faithful as everyone thinks, anymore. It simply confirmed my fears, an underlying thought I knew but didn't want to believe. I've been noticing things, several things, about people. They don't think I notice, but I do. They don't think I care. I always have. Maybe me being self-centered and conceited has been my defense mechanism against that - because I didn't want to see the truth. I wanted to be ignorant. I didn't want to know that deep inside, I neglected - FAILED to help someone I loved.
That hurt. But being as pathetic as I am, I couldn't confront the truth, and so I maintained my ignorance, my conceitedness, my wild fantastical stories centred on me - because I knew that if I kept them entertained enough, maybe we'd all just forget that like an iceberg, regardless of what's on the surface there's a depth beneath people that nobody sees until you hit it - and the next thing you know you're sinking like the Titanic. That's when you realise that they've been sinking all along and you've done absolutely nothing to stop it - you're too caught in your own life, own hopes, own dreams, own damn relationships.
Truth hurts. Like a bitch.
But I'm NOT going to be ignorant any longer.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Defenstration and Trivia Nights
OOO Been busy, busy, busy this week! So preoccupied with fundraising and the Trivia Night! It was such a success and we received our Youth Group jackets just in time for World Youth Day! (I love it! They have pockets EVERYWHERE! You could probably smuggle heroin into Bali with those things and they wouldn't discover it! ... okay, terrible analogy.)Oh my goodness! So hectic. (I'm culminating a severe attempt to cease my constant utterance of OH MY GOD. Mum intends for me to live a life with 'grace,' lol okay. Especially with WYD on the horizon) You know who else will be 'out of action?' (Man if I had that emoticon that Lorraine gave me, I'd totally exploit it right now). Anyway, I seriously don't know how I'll be able to appropriately 'holiday,' and I mean holiday as a verb with four assignments to accomplish in one week and to movie marathon with friends, venture to the city, go out, meet friends and RELAX before HSC English Trials, finals and the extension Major Work... and okay this is an inappropriately long sentence.
Trivia Nights are so engaging! It would have been MUCH better and less 'tense' had someone NOT attended. I saw him enter the door with his parents so I ran to the kitchen and keenly offered any assitance I could (slicing the cakes for tea). To be frank, I felt safer to a great degree, out of the main action and knife in hand. Seriously, that boy is psychotic and he literally scares the shit out of me. Is that the type of person I attract? Psychos? *Shudder* So we were on different tables on vastly opposing sides of the hall and what does he do? He sits at our bloody table beside me. Thank G- I mean, thank the heavens that Carissa was there or I'd be perpetually trapped there with him and his profoundly disturbing drawings, dark aura and eccentricities that are beyond eccentric.
I am terrified of him, and I believe that he's not letting me go. He admitted to LOUIE of all people, my little seven year-old brother that if he had a sniper rifle he'd shoot us all. Something is gravely diturbing about him, and I really don't wish to see him at all or at World Youth Day. I think that his presence would degrade the general enjoyment/spiritual enlightenment deplorably. I don't mean this in a mean way, but he needs help. I don't think any event with me present especially, would be beneficial to him at all.
In other news, I am writing once more! I love it! I'm writing again, my second chapter is finally reaching that 2000 word mark. Of course it still needs some severe editing, to refine my style and technique, at the moment the vocabulary is so plebian it might as well be Twilight or something. I'd like to venture beyond that. The 'romantic' element of the plot is culminating, I just hope I don't forget all the ideas I had in my head! Finally it's coming along, you have no idea how good it feels to slide back into writing again. It's like welcoming an old friend or family member.
Oh my word, do you know what my mum just did? She bloody REMINDED me to do my schoolwork. AS ID IT'S NOT ON MY MIND ALREADY. WHAT THE HELL DID THIS BLOG POST BEGIN WITH??? I KNOW MOTHER, WHAT YOU THINK I'M AN INCOMPETENT STUDENT THAT I NEEEEEDDD REMINDING TO FINISH MY WORK THIS WEEK BEFORE WORLD YOUTH DAY. I'M SORRY BUT WHAT THE FUCK!! I KNOW!! GOSH. YOU DON'T THINK THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT?
AS IF I NEED REMINDING I DON'T THINK THAT I'S BE EVEN ABLE TO FREAKING RELAX THESE HOLIDAYS BECAUSE OF MY WORK LOAD. GOSH NOW JUST BECAUSE I STARTED WRITING AGAIN THAT'S IMMEDIATELY CONDUCIVE TO ME BEING COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE AND NOT COMPLETING MY WORK? WHAT THE HELL MOTHER? YOU SEE HOW HARD I WORK, YOU SEE HOW I WORK EVERY NIGHT. NOW THE SECOND I RELAX FOR ONCE YOU REMIND ME TO DO MY WORK?? WHAT THE FUCK!
LIKE I DON'T FREAKING KNOW! FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!
Until freaking next time -
- deeh xoxox
I feel too accosted right now to continue my train of thought.
I want to defenstrate something. No SOMEONE. I'd defenstrate him, and I might defenstrate my mother. Urgh! How could she think that I don't know!!!!! URGH1!!
Trivia Nights are so engaging! It would have been MUCH better and less 'tense' had someone NOT attended. I saw him enter the door with his parents so I ran to the kitchen and keenly offered any assitance I could (slicing the cakes for tea). To be frank, I felt safer to a great degree, out of the main action and knife in hand. Seriously, that boy is psychotic and he literally scares the shit out of me. Is that the type of person I attract? Psychos? *Shudder* So we were on different tables on vastly opposing sides of the hall and what does he do? He sits at our bloody table beside me. Thank G- I mean, thank the heavens that Carissa was there or I'd be perpetually trapped there with him and his profoundly disturbing drawings, dark aura and eccentricities that are beyond eccentric.
I am terrified of him, and I believe that he's not letting me go. He admitted to LOUIE of all people, my little seven year-old brother that if he had a sniper rifle he'd shoot us all. Something is gravely diturbing about him, and I really don't wish to see him at all or at World Youth Day. I think that his presence would degrade the general enjoyment/spiritual enlightenment deplorably. I don't mean this in a mean way, but he needs help. I don't think any event with me present especially, would be beneficial to him at all.
In other news, I am writing once more! I love it! I'm writing again, my second chapter is finally reaching that 2000 word mark. Of course it still needs some severe editing, to refine my style and technique, at the moment the vocabulary is so plebian it might as well be Twilight or something. I'd like to venture beyond that. The 'romantic' element of the plot is culminating, I just hope I don't forget all the ideas I had in my head! Finally it's coming along, you have no idea how good it feels to slide back into writing again. It's like welcoming an old friend or family member.
Oh my word, do you know what my mum just did? She bloody REMINDED me to do my schoolwork. AS ID IT'S NOT ON MY MIND ALREADY. WHAT THE HELL DID THIS BLOG POST BEGIN WITH??? I KNOW MOTHER, WHAT YOU THINK I'M AN INCOMPETENT STUDENT THAT I NEEEEEDDD REMINDING TO FINISH MY WORK THIS WEEK BEFORE WORLD YOUTH DAY. I'M SORRY BUT WHAT THE FUCK!! I KNOW!! GOSH. YOU DON'T THINK THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT?
AS IF I NEED REMINDING I DON'T THINK THAT I'S BE EVEN ABLE TO FREAKING RELAX THESE HOLIDAYS BECAUSE OF MY WORK LOAD. GOSH NOW JUST BECAUSE I STARTED WRITING AGAIN THAT'S IMMEDIATELY CONDUCIVE TO ME BEING COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE AND NOT COMPLETING MY WORK? WHAT THE HELL MOTHER? YOU SEE HOW HARD I WORK, YOU SEE HOW I WORK EVERY NIGHT. NOW THE SECOND I RELAX FOR ONCE YOU REMIND ME TO DO MY WORK?? WHAT THE FUCK!
LIKE I DON'T FREAKING KNOW! FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!
Until freaking next time -
- deeh xoxox
I feel too accosted right now to continue my train of thought.
I want to defenstrate something. No SOMEONE. I'd defenstrate him, and I might defenstrate my mother. Urgh! How could she think that I don't know!!!!! URGH1!!
Friday, 4 July 2008
KNOW YOUR WORDS BEFORE YOU USE THEM
Honestly, what is happening with language these days?
It's utterly preposterous! When you intend use a word against someone at least know the definition of said word to avoid offending the opposing party or appearing to be an idiot!
EXHIBIT A: LIE
KNOW WHAT A LIE IS BEFORE YOU CALL ME A LIAR.
Misinterpreting information is not lying. Being unable to decipher a stupid timetable is not a lie. I am sincerely sorry for having passed on the incorrect information to you, but please do not promulgate me as a liar! That is utter catachresis! I know I'm not perfect but I at least TRY not to lie. Honestly. Let's explore the definition of 'lie' shall we?
Dictionary.com
A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.
See that? "deliberate intent to deceive" My alleged intent was non-existent!! Yes what I said was a false statement - BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THAT! That's how I interpreted that bloody timetable, my apologies.
Would you like a second opinion?
Wordnet.princeton
tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive
"Intent to deceive" THAT SEEMS TO KEEP POPPING UP DOESN'T IT!
Gosh, perhaps reading a dictionary would actually be beneficial to some people.
That's my rant for today.
Until next time -
- deeh xoxox
P.S Privatisation is soon! I'll be as censored as Russian Literature under Stalin soon!
It's utterly preposterous! When you intend use a word against someone at least know the definition of said word to avoid offending the opposing party or appearing to be an idiot!
EXHIBIT A: LIE
KNOW WHAT A LIE IS BEFORE YOU CALL ME A LIAR.
Misinterpreting information is not lying. Being unable to decipher a stupid timetable is not a lie. I am sincerely sorry for having passed on the incorrect information to you, but please do not promulgate me as a liar! That is utter catachresis! I know I'm not perfect but I at least TRY not to lie. Honestly. Let's explore the definition of 'lie' shall we?
Dictionary.com
A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.
See that? "deliberate intent to deceive" My alleged intent was non-existent!! Yes what I said was a false statement - BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THAT! That's how I interpreted that bloody timetable, my apologies.
Would you like a second opinion?
Wordnet.princeton
tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive
"Intent to deceive" THAT SEEMS TO KEEP POPPING UP DOESN'T IT!
Gosh, perhaps reading a dictionary would actually be beneficial to some people.
That's my rant for today.
Until next time -
- deeh xoxox
P.S Privatisation is soon! I'll be as censored as Russian Literature under Stalin soon!
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