May isn't Just for Our Earthly Mothers

In the Catholic Church, May is a month devoted to Mary, the Blessed Mother of Christ, who is also the Mother of all the children of God.  She is a symbol of femininity and motherhood for the Church, and a great source of comfort and strength for people all over the world.

Many people take this opportunity to learn more about the Mother of God, renew their devotion to her, or resolve to pray the Rosary more often.  This month, I'll be highlighting information and answer common questions about the Blessed Mother, share stories of apparitions around the world, and explain the role of Mary both in the Church today, and the role of Mary in the life of Catholic women today.

I have been drawn to the Blessed Mother since even before my conversion to Catholicism, but I don't know lots and lots about her.  I'm hoping this month will also help answer questions I have, and help strengthen my devotion to the Mother of God.

I feel awfully hung over for not having an alcohol this weekend...

I'm sorry I haven't posted lately. Much to my happy surprise, my mother, brother, sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law arrived at my door for my birthday! Hooray! It was a busy, crazy weekend with lots of talking, hugging, and sight-seeing, and it was over much too quickly.

I intended to lounge around all weekend reading, grading, and writing, but I didn't turn my computer on the whole weekend. It was wonderful!

Unfortunately, now I have quite a bit of work to catch up on both at work and in my home office. Don't worry--blogging is on the list, but there are a few things that have to get done first.

If you're sad at the lack of rambling information from yours truly, you should check out the fun going on over at En Tequila Es Verdad. There's always something fun to read there!

The Anti 9-to-5 Guide Update

After reading The Anti 9-to-5 Guide by Michelle Goodman, I followed her advice for an action plan. Friday was the deadline for Stage Two, and I'm happy to say I've more than completed my Action Plan so far! Here's what I've done so far (quoted from Goodman, but what's in the brackets was added by me):

• Brainstorm time! Jot down any activities, jobs, classes, or volunteer stints you've enjoyed to date, even if you were seven at the time. [This didn't take very long since I already know what I want to do!]
• Scrutinize your lifestyle. What expenses and vices can you jettison? Vow to ditch at least one today. [This, too, didn't take very long. When you're on a budget already there's not much to "jettison."]
• If you're prone to bouncing checks and racking up late-payment fees, get a grip. [Nope--we're careful about our finances.]
• If your credit card debt is out of control, consider consolidating through an organization like Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS). [See above note.]
• Think about whether you'll need to move to another city or state to pursue your dream gig (or to cut down on living expenses). [Thankfully, we live in a great city with lots of opportunities for me, and we don't need to move!]

My next step is to figure out a timeline of how long I think it will take me to get to where I want to be: freelancing full time. According to the Action Plan, I have until May 30th to do this, and I'll probably enlist Hubby's help for it. He's my business guy.

I already have a rough timeline in mind, but I'd like to get a firmer grasp on it. Ideally, I'll get a calendar and map out my own action plan for becoming a full time freelance writer.

Lots to do this month!

Prasad(a) is Given Voice!

I've had a breakthrough with my coffee house book. I think I was having trouble getting into it because it was a rather large undertaking that didn't have a real direction. It was a collection tied loosely by a fine thread, but I've come up with a connection that I think will greatly strengthen the book.

Prasad(a) is food that is offered to a deity, and then given to believers by a saint/religious leader. I named the coffee house Prasad(a) to play with the idea that coffee is divine and a gift, and the baristas are like priests and priestesses passing out this blessed food at a sort of altar to believers: the customers.

So I'm altering the "chapters" of the book to fit into this religious framework. I think it will give the book a much-needed unity, and will be a hell of a lot of fun to write.

There's more, but I don't want to reveal too much. When (if?) I get the book published, I'd much rather have you clamoring to read it than ready to review it because you read my blog regularly.

So I'll be dropping hints, perhaps posting snippets, and enticing you until you're ready to help me write queries in order to get it published!