tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58854050056772683522024-03-13T17:22:23.484+01:00a graced life in france."as travellers, let us set out on a journey to heaven" --st. john chrysostommaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-14110347276308645602013-01-01T20:00:00.000+01:002013-01-02T03:04:15.210+01:00we'll always have paris...<div style="text-align: center;">
+jmj+</div>
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Crossing the English Channel yet again was bittersweet. Mainly because it meant that I would be leaving France in just a few short days. Once the ferry landed again in Dieppe, we drove back to Evreux to meet parents and say goodbyes. It was bittersweet after getting to know these kids and spending nearly a week with them. But I had been traveling for weeks and would only continue traveling (with ridiculously heavy luggage), so I knew I needed to rest.</div>
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My last night in Evreux was spent at my friend Anthony's house, across the street from the Cathedral. We enjoyed a light meal and some reminiscing of my year in France, then it was time to hit the hay, tired from a week of leading the retreat and wrangling middle schoolers.<br />
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In the morning, very reluctantly, I packed up the rest of my things and gathered all of my luggage for the train. Anthony dropped me and my 500 lb companions off at the train station, only after some tearful goodbyes.<br />
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Once in Paris, for one last night, I dropped my bags at the hotel where I was staying with an American friend from Evreux and then took off to take full advantage of my precious time in this city. I visited some of my favorite spots and used this last chance to see some new things as well. I enjoyed the riverwalk along the Seine, walked through Rodin's gardens one last time, and even visited Napoleon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">napoleon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I desire for my ashes to rest on the shore of the Seine<br />
Amidst this French people that I have loved so much</td></tr>
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The evening wound down with some prayer at Sacré Coeur, dinner at my favorite little bistro in all of Paris (on Montmartre, down the street from Sacré Coeur) with a friend who was by my side for nearly the entire year in France (and experienced all of the ups & downs alongside me). It was a wonderful last dinner in France as we reminisced and dreamed.<br />
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Because of an early trek to the airport the next morning, we headed to our hotel for a good night's rest. The day of my departure arrived all too quickly, but with my bags packed and loaded into a taxi to Charles de Gaulle, I had no choice but to stick with my plans. With just a twinge of regret and denial, I hauled all of my possessions from one side of the world to the other, finally returning to America, to my first (but not only) home.<br />
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It is nearly impossible to believe that this was all of nearly seven months ago. Since initially leaving France, I have been back as a camp counselor, have landed a job that I really love, have made new friends, have gotten back in touch with old ones. My life, though no longer lived in the most romantic country in the world, is nonetheless full of joy.<br />
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There is not a day that goes by where I don't think of France. Even when I miss it like crazy, those memories are some of the greatest, and my year living there has proven, thus far, to be one of the most important things I have ever done. I know that it will not be long before I can return to the country that has become my second home. Until then, I'll always have Paris...<br />
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pax christi.</div>
maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-22124301545684536212012-12-17T03:04:00.002+01:002012-12-17T03:05:07.285+01:00where there is no love...<div style="text-align: center;">
+jmj+</div>
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<i>"Where there is no love, put love, and there you will find love"</i></div>
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--St. John of the Cross</div>
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This weekend, for most Americans, has been an emotionally-charged and confusing few days, myself included. I am speechless and heart broken following this newest tragedy. But my faith tells me that this is not in vain. As Father Steve said during his homily at Mass this morning, the shadow of the Cross loomed over even the light of the manger. We know that suffering exists in this world, even suffering that can <i>seem</i> inexplicable. There are new saints in heaven, but these are not the first martyrs our world has seen.</div>
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While the healing will certainly take time, the world is still turning. On Saturday morning, hoping to fight evil with goodness, beauty, and God's love, I volunteered at the Mission at Our Lady of the Angels. Their annual Christmas party serves their entire neighborhood, over a thousand families, children, seniors, and others who most likely would not have had anything. I saw dozens of kids beam at the sight of Santa. The entire gym was piled with brand new toys, donated so that these children would experience what many of us take for granted. Turkeys were donated so that the meal on Christmas would be special. As the families and neighbors filed in, there was excitement in the air and smiles on faces. All because they were receiving love. Love from strangers, love from God, love in a place they don't normally feel it. </div>
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It was strange to feel such joy so soon after an incredible tragedy. It was almost guilt-inducing to be celebrating Christmas when so many families are in mourning. But then I heard the quote above this morning. And it hit me. The only way to heal from something like this is to put even more love into the world. It is what the saints all learned. It is what Mother Teresa knew. It's what the community at OLA practices. And it is the only solution to the evil in this world. </div>
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pax christi.</div>
maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-20310608556276748952012-11-15T05:04:00.001+01:002012-11-15T05:04:12.449+01:00england!<div style="text-align: center;">
+jmj+</div>
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Without missing a beat, as soon as my mom was off to the airport from the hotel to fly home, I boarded a train to the coast with a final destination of England! I arrived in Dieppe, about 2 hours from Paris, with a few hours to spare before my inaugural ferry arrived. So I spent my afternoon in true French fashion. Being May 1st, everyone, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, was celebrating Mary with flowers. I bought a tiny bouquet, enjoyed a glass of wine along the pier, popped into the local church to pray, and leisurely ambled around town and along the water until I finally spotted the boat!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my ferry, pulling into the harbor in france</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a ferry with a view?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i had an extended sunset, as i was travelling west</td></tr>
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<br />The ferry ride took 4 hours and was mostly uneventful. It felt much more like a cruise ship than I expected (albeit the tiniest cruise ship around), as my only previous ferry experience consisted of crossing Lake Michigan to get to Washington Island. A journey of no more than 45 minutes. This ferry, on the other hand, included a full restaurant, a bar, a gift shop, an arcade, and ample, comfortable seating. I spent some time on the deck, but retreated inside for most of the trip because it was chilly on the open seas!</div>
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I arrived in Newhaven in the evening, after sunset. I did not see much of England itself on that first night, but was instead greeted, after going through customs, by a British nun and my French friend Anthony!</div>
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My whole purpose in England was to serve as an English teacher and spiritual leader for a middle school break trip! Because my mom was visiting, I showed up a day later than everyone else, but I quickly settled in with Anthony, Fr. Eric, and about 12 French middle schoolers in the English town of Seaford for a 5-day intensive English retreat!</div>
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Our days consisted of meals prepared together, prayer & Mass, English lessons, games, and excursions in the area. We visited the local parish for Mass one day and were able to pray the Stations of the Cross in English! On another afternoon, we set the kids loose in town to visit different shops and try out their English. They came back with One Direction posters, chocolate, and even a dog toy, and I could not have been prouder at their willingness to communicate somehow or another with the people around them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">english class with miss maura</td></tr>
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The part of Southeast England that we were in has a beautiful landscape and coastline. Seaford is home to a chain of chalk cliffs named the Seven Sisters, and they are breathtaking. It is the first thing you see as you approach in the ferry and you can walk on them, play golf, or farm. We spent an afternoon walking all along the cliffs and spotted plenty of sheep!</div>
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My quick jaunt in England was amusing and quite enjoyable. It was strange to be surrounded by English-speakers once again, especially since I realized the need to practice my native language before returning home! Overall, I tried my best to teach English to a bunch of kids who were in vacation mode, but most importantly, I got to share my culture and my faith with these middle schoolers who really took something away from the trip. I ended up seeing one of the girls, Marie, later in the summer when I was back in France. Her brother, Nico, was a fellow counselor of mine at Katorin and when his family (including Marie) came to visit for a day, his mother thanked me again for Speak & Spi. It was an unexpected gift months later that helped reaffirm for me the retreat's impact on these kids. It had obviously bore fruit. Fruit that will hopefully last.<br />
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pax christi.</div>
maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-36531369087682213452012-11-13T05:02:00.000+01:002012-11-13T05:02:42.181+01:00return to the city of lights<div style="text-align: center;">
+jmj+</div>
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The (a little more than) slightly delayed recap of my last weeks in France continues...with a return to Paris! After a tour of Western and Southern France, we took the train back from Avignon to Paris for a weekend stay before my mom's return to the States.<br />
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My mom had been to Paris once before (on my parent's honeymoon--quite some time ago...), but after all that time, the memories had understandably collected some dust. Though we visited many sites and monuments that I knew from old photos taken by my mother herself, most of what we saw seemed brand new to her. Thankfully, we did not have to fight too many tourists around the city since it was still not quite peak travel season. We enjoyed much of the beauty Paris has to offer with that wonderful, casual European pace I very willingly acquired.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arc de triomphe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maureen along the seine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside notre dame</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flower market on my favorite street :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cheers! lunch at a great bistro along the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not my favorite, but my mom loved seeing all the fish markets</td></tr>
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Within a weekend, we made it up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for one of the best views of Paris, to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, to several of the city's lush gardens, to some of my favorite restaurants & cafes, and all along the river. We walked more than our feet wanted to take us, but it was worth it to see Paris above ground in the spring rather than from an underground tunnel. Especially at night. The City of Love easily rivals the City of Light.<br />
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It was definitely worth re-visiting these places that I know inside and out to view it all from my mom's excited, fresh perspective. Just as I was preparing to leave the country to which I had grown so accustomed and acclimated, it was like rediscovering it all over again. Exactly what I needed to engrave this most beautiful city in the world into my memory.<br />
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With that, my mom's trip to France came to a close and we headed our separate ways for only two more weeks. She braved Charles de Gaulle all by herself (!!!) to fly back to Chicago. And I hopped a train headed west towards the coast, off on one last adventure before my own homecoming!<br />
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pax christi.</div>
maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-58428433260278916762012-10-18T22:21:00.004+02:002012-10-18T22:21:59.254+02:00sur le pont d'avignon...<div style="text-align: center;">
+jmj+</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">le Palais des Papes</td></tr>
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This is approximately five months overdue, but the overseas adventures with my mom are still fresh in mind! And with this changing weather, I'm dreaming more and more of the sun and warm breeze of Southern France that I left behind...all of which is prompting me to revisit via blog.</div>
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The third destination on our Tour de France was Avignon. After a gloomy (though only temperature-wise) start to the trip, we were finally blown into delightfully warm weather by the Mediterranean winds. The majority of this trip was planned, very much intentionally on my part, around historically important sites and cities in Southern France. Avignon is certainly no exception. Though this is a beautiful Southern city, not too far from the sea, and known for its lavender fields and estival theater festival, Avignon boasts an incredible history deeply rooted in the Church (even if it may be ridden with confusion and dispute...).<br />
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Hundreds of years ago, in the early 14th century, disputes over papal succession and authority broke out in the wake of the death of Benedict XI. In Rome, French and Italian cardinals would not agree on a successor, each nationality insistent on electing their own countryman as pope. When the stalemate was finally breached a year later, Pope Clement V, a Frenchman, was elected with a particular request--he wanted to remain in France and move the papal conclave from Rome to his home country. For almost a century, Avignon became the new Rome, the new capital of the Church. Seven popes officiated from this French city until Pope Gregory XI, with the influence of St. Catherine of Siena, moved the papacy back to Rome. The years of the Avignon Papacy saw confusion, conflict, and power struggles but the historical significance of this period in Church history is still deeply embedded in the city.<br />
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One of the most impressive and well-visited sites in Avignon is the Palais des Papes, or the Papal Palace. This chateau has been turned into a museum to display the 14th century papal residence and educate tourists, and it is quite impressive. Cavernous banquet halls, quarters for the popes, secret treasuries and meeting rooms all comprise the beautiful palace.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hidden money cellars underneath the huge stone flooring slabs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">outdoor walkway</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">interior courtyard</td></tr>
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Besides the Palais des Papes, Avignon is also known for its large bridge to nowhere. The Pont Saint-Bénezet was built in the 12th century, and originally crossed the whole river with 22 arches to connect both banks of the Rhône. Only four of those arches remain, however, as poor upkeep caused the others to crumble and fall. What is left of this bridge is open to the public, who can visit its two chapels and enjoy the beautiful view of Avignon, the river, and the vast valleys and vineyards surrounding both. There is even a classic children's song about the bridge! It is quite charming.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bridge's two chapels lit up at night</td></tr>
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Ours was a quick trip, simply overnight, before we headed back to Paris. We saw what I had desired to, but that was certainly not everything there was <i>to</i> see. Avignon offers much more than the Palais des Papes and a bridge. There were neighborhoods, restaurants, vineyards, and chapels to see that we did not have the time to get to. Now I will just have to plan for my return...<br />
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pax christi.<br />
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maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-26691979947979149172012-05-07T03:29:00.000+02:002012-05-07T03:29:37.756+02:00home!<div style="text-align: center;">
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I am finally home!!! Lots of transportation and heavy lifting were required to get me from Evreux to Paris to Chicago (this whole ordeal technically started in England, actually). But I finally made it. And now I am exhausted and not at all adjusted to the time change yet. It will take a few days of waking up at 5am, and therefore making it to 6:15am Mass!, before I will be on Chicago time. There are still lots of stories to share as I come to accept the fact that I no longer live in Europe. It will be a strange, and difficult, adjustment. But there's no place like home...<br />
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-10644025024851735552012-04-27T22:56:00.001+02:002012-04-27T22:56:17.528+02:00carcassonne.<div style="text-align: center;">
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Stop 2 on the tour of Southern France is to Carcassonne! After a few days in Bordeaux, we hopped on the train heading southeast to find ourselves in this terribly historic medieval castle town. It is so cool here.<br />
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Basically, about 5 centuries before Jesus was born, some ancient tribes built a little fortress thing on the top of a hill in Southern France. Then, about 3 centuries after Jesus was born, the Romans built a bigger, stronger castle, which was expanded even further in the 12th century, by the French kings and, eventually, St. Louis. There is a lot of history contained within these walls, which is just fascinating. Considering Carcassonne's proximity to Spain, the area has gone between Roman, Spanish, and French rule for centuries. It finally came under permanent French rule in the 17th century, and was restored in the 19th. In 1997, Carcassonne and its incredible castle were named as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is a massive castle, with about 3 kilometers of walls, and a total of 52 towers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Dominic preached here during Lent in 1213!</td></tr>
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We took a boat ride along the Canal du Midi--a canal built in the 17th century to link the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Lovely views, even with all of the wind.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the locks we went through</td></tr>
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The castle is so cool. We are staying in a hotel at the very foot of the hill, so we are super close, and we can see it all lit up at night. I feel like I'm living in the 13th century! We leave tomorrow, but the history lessons will continue in Avignon!</div>
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pax christi.</div>
</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-64641703700769408272012-04-26T23:22:00.002+02:002012-04-26T23:22:44.289+02:00bordeaux<div style="text-align: center;">
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The weather was not great in Bordeaux. That put a bit of a damper on the whole "tourist" bit that I normally try to avoid anyway. We saw some cool things, but overall, the rain was not much of a motivator to explore as I normally would a new city.</div>
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In all honesty, wine was the biggest motivation for visiting Bordeaux. I knew it was a beautiful city, but it has never really stuck out to me as a must-visit spot in France beyond the fact that it is the capital of wine country. I was not quite sure of what exactly was here other than châteaux--I knew the Cathedral was pretty, and pretty old. And that Bordeaux is also one of the stops on the Camino de Santiago, from France. Other than these fun facts, I was rather ignorant of other significant monuments or buildings, leaving exploration, a map, and some wine to guide me and my mom through the city.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cool fountain in the place des quinconces</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cathédrale de st-andré</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">saint andrew's cathedral on the camino!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">st andrew's from above</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">city hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a movie theatre</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">st. peter's</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a large clock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a lonely archway</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a fancy castle vestige</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my mom in the park--recreating monet's gardens</td></tr>
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<br />I wish the weather had been nicer for our jaunt in Bordeaux. But we made do, and enjoyed wine all the while. Therefore, it was no failure.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-57466337734051029862012-04-25T23:38:00.001+02:002012-04-25T23:38:16.683+02:00WINE.<div style="text-align: center;">
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Wine is sacred in France. Especially in Bordeaux, wine reigns supreme. It is everything from a very basic table drink to the fanciest beverage around. And it's just fabulous. Being in Bordeaux is a whirlwind of wine and walking! When it's not raining...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fountain in Bordeaux</td></tr>
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<br />Yesterday, we toured two wine châteaux in the Bordeaux region. The first, the Château Reynier, was a quaint, family owned and operated vineyard on breathtaking property. The château, which is also the family's home, was just beautiful and the vineyards were picturesque. We toured the property, saw the fermentation and bottling processes, and tasted some wine.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">château de reynier</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wine being bottled and sealed with a cork</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wine fermenting in oak barrels, in a cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby grape vines!</td></tr>
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<br />The second château, the Château de France, was a much bigger production, yet with less-stellar wine. We briefly toured the property and buildings, followed by another wine tasting. But the first château remained an easy winner.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">château de france</td></tr>
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<br />It was a day full of what makes Bordeaux Bordeaux. Wine!<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-44775465117018724492012-04-23T23:44:00.000+02:002012-04-23T23:44:18.015+02:00the weekend with maureen.<div style="text-align: center;">
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My mom got here on Friday! Within a matter of hours Friday morning, I taught my last English class (ever...) and then welcomed my mom into Paris! It was an eventful morning--bittersweet (and exciting) to be done teaching, and then super exciting to see my mom right here, in France, finally!</div>
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We have had a lovely weekend. Starting off with the grand tour of Evreux on Friday and Saturday morning, Maureen got to taste just how awesome life is in this sleepy town. We saw Roman ruins, the river, the gardens, and much more. She was impressed.</div>
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Next stop, on Saturday, was Deauville-Trouville! After some issues with a rental car that did not actually exist...we hopped on over to the coast via train. These neighboring towns (Deauville on one side of the river, Trouville on the other) are a popular coastal destination for many French vacationers as well as tourists and international movie stars. Deauville is home to an annual summer film festival that attracts famous people from all over. Even with a slight chill in the air, we had a beautiful blue sky and friendly sun to light up our day. I had never been there before, so we got to discover these beautiful little towns together!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the boardwalk in trouville</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i'm in the ocean!!! i'm so happy!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">along the river</td></tr>
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<br />Again, with our original plans nixed by a lack of vehicule, Sunday's agenda was altered as well. A few times...We had planned on visiting the American Cemetery, the World War II memorials, and the D-Day beaches but that was all rendered impossible, unfortunately. So we improvised, and I cannot think of any better way to spend ANY day than in PARIS! So we took the train in for the day (and night...) to explore my beloved city.<div>
<br />First stop, Montmartre and Sacré Coeur.<br /><div>
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Next up, Notre Dame! Very briefly.</div>
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Then we walked through the Luxembourg gardens, one of my favorite spots to sit, bask in the sun, and people watch. Those are basically required Parisian activities, and the Luxembourg gardens are the perfect backdrop.</div>
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We ate dinner in an adorable little Swiss chalet restaurant near St-Germain-des-Près, but ended up missing the last train back to Evreux! Lucky for us, there was a miracle train at 12:20am (the same miracle train that appeared when I came home from Rome...I know I'm being looked after!). That also meant that we had 3 extra hours in Paris!!! There really is not much more beautiful than Paris at night. The City of Lights truly shines at night. Reflections off the Seine, the sparkling Eiffel Tower, churches and monuments glowing with spires, statues, and windows. Paris is truly magical at night.</div>
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We took a Seine river tour, and I actually learned quite a few facts about the bridges that I had not previously known. That was quite pleasing. And even though we were rained on a bit, and shivering in the cool spring air, it was a lovely little cruise. I had never taken a boat ride on the Seine, so it was a new perspective for me as well!</div>
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And now, this afternoon, we just arrived in Bordeaux! The next few days will be filled with wine, walking, and (hopefully) better weather. We are staying at a gorgeous apartment, and I am excited to discover a new city! And, of course, drink plenty of Bordeaux :) Cheers to more French adventures with my mom!</div>
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pax christi.</div>
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</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-36940448062283399102012-04-17T20:32:00.002+02:002012-04-17T20:32:38.697+02:00l'apéritif<div style="text-align: center;">
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I could rave about French food until the cows come home. And chances are, even with my belly happily full of Chipotle and deep dish pizza and corn on the cob and all of the other delicious foods that are so incredibly American, I will always save a little part of my heart for the way that the French eat. There is a completely different mentality when it comes to food, and enjoying what you eat, where you eat it, and with whom. Meals are a sacred production--the French meal has been deemed a "world intangible heritage" by UNESCO! That means that, even though it is not a place (which normally receive the status of "world heritage"), French gastronomy sets itself apart as a cultural icon.<br />
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Before meals, one of the most treasured customs is the apéritif. From the latin word "aperire", meaning "to open", the apéritif is the official start of a meal, without actually yet sitting down to eat. It consists of drinks and appetizers--anything from crackers to veggies to different meats or sausages. The apéritif can be rather simple, or very elaborate, and will last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, if not longer. Part of why a real French meal takes so long (I have had 5 hour dinners from apéro to after-dinner coffee) is the time spent enjoying every course and the company. The apéritif is simply the very beginning of that!<br />
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L'apéritif is a ritual that I have come to love. It sets a convivial mood for the meal and acts as a great transition to whatever is on the menu. It's just wonderful, and I am planning on instituting l'apéritif in America!<br />
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-50292333109498088652012-04-16T21:50:00.000+02:002012-04-16T21:50:41.439+02:00lisieux, one last time.<div style="text-align: center;">
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I have been to a lot of places this year. I have seen many beautiful things, and I am super blessed to be living where I am. Normandy is a part of France that is just teeming with culture and history, and I have been able to profit from that considerably. One of my favorite little corners of Normandy is Lisieux, the home of St. Thérèse. I have been a few times this past year, thanks to the quick train ride from Evreux, but today was the last time that I would be able to go for a very long time. I spent the day revisiting all of my favorite spots, saying goodbye to St. Thérèse and her hometown!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Thérèse's childhood home, called "Les Buissonnets"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Basilica, from behind</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the front of the Basilica</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the Basilica</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vive la normandie!!!</td></tr>
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<br />St. Thérèse, pray for us!</div>
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-28479425899296375842012-04-15T22:05:00.000+02:002012-04-15T22:05:49.966+02:00let the countdown begin.<div style="text-align: center;">
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Or continue...I have been counting down my days of teaching for a few months now, so although we are finally in single digits, it is not particularly novel to be anticipating my last days here. That said, it certainly does not make anything any easier. Goodbyes are goodbyes no matter what circumstances they are under!<br />
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I will be at home, in America, in three weeks. And I only teach three more days. Three is the magic number right now, apparently. A lot is going to happen in the next three weeks, including more good-byes than I will be able to handle. BUT it just means that another adventure is starting!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">evreux in september--over 7 months ago!!!</td></tr>
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<br />On another note, today is Divine Mercy Sunday! In 2000, when JPII canonized St. Faustina, he also sanctioned the first Sunday after Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday, in honor of St. Faustina's visions of Christ and His Mercy. She was a Polish nun who felt the call to become a nun when she was just 7 years old, in Adoration. She was finally allowed to enter her order (the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy) after she ran away to Warsaw at just 19. Like St. Thérèse, St. Faustina became very ill at a young age. Shortly after she contracted what was thought to be tuberculosis, she began having visions of Jesus. He transmitted His message of Divine Mercy to her. He also wanted her to have a specific picture painted of Him wearing white, with white and red rays emanating from Him. This picture is known as the Divine Mercy image, and is commonly seen in churches accompanied with the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a prayer that Christ asked her to pray.</div>
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The first time I went to Rome (three years ago), I went to the church where St. Faustina's heart is preserved. It's the Church of the Holy Spirit, and it's right next to St. Peter's. It's quite incredible to pray in front of her heart--a heart that knew Jesus so intimately. She is a model of modern holiness! St. Faustina, pray for us!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">st. faustina</td></tr>
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-60589026749723225952012-04-14T18:39:00.000+02:002012-04-14T18:39:14.721+02:00scenes of paris<div style="text-align: center;">
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Paris is pretty much beautiful at all times. In any weather. During any season. Any time of day or day of the week. But catch Paris at night, in the rain, and it will take your breath away. The lights, the peaceful pitter-patter of the raindrops on cobble stones and pavement, the almost complete silence broken only by cars whirring by. It is wonderful.</div>
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pax christi.</div>
</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-59734223904927563272012-04-14T00:00:00.000+02:002012-04-14T00:00:29.500+02:00the last day in rome...<div style="text-align: center;">
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It's a very good thing that I have already been to Rome because, this time around, we did not have time to do much more than wait in line and eat. Which I was ok with. Monday morning we had time for some more sight-seeing and some church-hopping. After another quick visit to the Trevi fountain, we trekked out to Santa Maria della Vittoria, home of Bernini's famous sculpture, The Ecstasy of St. Teresa.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ecstasy of st. teresa of avila by bernini</td></tr>
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<br />This moving, charged statue depicts St. Teresa of Avila, a Spanish Carmelite nun responsible for many reforms of the order in the 16th century, spear-heading the Counter Reformation, as well as her spiritual writing. She, along with her contemporary and friend St. John of the Cross, was known for having mystical and vivid experiences in deep prayer, which inspired this particular sculpture. She wrote a book called "The Interior Castle", which explains that our souls have seven stages, or castles, to achieve before reaching God.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the annunciation</td></tr>
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<br />From there, we walked back into the center of Rome, around the Pantheon, and visited St. Ignatius of Loyola. His church in Rome is huge and beautiful, and very ornate. The ceiling is something else. We laid on the marble floor for a good 20 minutes just looking up and contemplating it. We set some trends...<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a dome of st. joseph</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ceiling at St. Ignatius of Loyola</td></tr>
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<br />And with just a little bit more walking around in us, we got lunch, and gelato, and then walked along the river to make it back to our hostel to meet our taxi to the airport. The weekend was over quicker than I could ever imagine, but I will be back! I didn't throw a coin into the Trevi fountain over my shoulder for nothing!<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the last views of roma...</td></tr>
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<br />pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-50841629663592431832012-04-12T17:12:00.001+02:002012-04-12T17:12:24.847+02:00easter in the eternal city.<div style="text-align: center;">
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The Easter Vigil lasted three hours, and we probably got to bed around 1am earliest, to wake up again at around 7am for Easter Sunday Mass!!! And you know what? I thought I was going to be exhausted beyond belief. I normally cannot function on so little sleep for so long (two nights of minimal sleep with no naps= disastrous). BUT I work up nice and early Sunday morning, bright eyed and bushy tailed, with plenty of energy and excitement for the joyous holiday!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the tiber river on easter morning</td></tr>
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We got ready, then headed to the Vatican for Mass, arriving about two hours early to wait in line to get in and find seats in the square. The Easter Vigil took place inside the Basilica, but Sunday Mass was outside in the square, under a beautiful blue sky.<br />
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Now this was an (additional) Easter miracle. It was supposed to rain all weekend, which would have certainly put a damper on a lot of things. And though we did have some random sprinkles throughout the day on Saturday, we were so blessed and had sun for most of the weekend. Nothing was spoiled or rained out! It was incredible! Even with a little chill in the air, the sun brightened Easter and perfectly reflected Christ's glorious Resurrection!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seats for mass!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pope benedict</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lovely blue sky</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pope's easter message and blessing</td></tr>
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Mass with the Pope was, again, amazing. We were very far away from him again, but giant tv screens remedied that. There were readings in several languages and the petitions especially were all in different languages from all around the world. The Gospel was read in Latin, and then in Greek by a Greek Orthodox deacon! It was so beautiful. After Mass, the Pope gave an Easter sermon/message and said "Happy Easter" in just about every language on the planet. He also gave a special blessing called the "Urbi et Orbi", which he only gives at Easter and Christmas normally. It means "to the city of Rome and to the World".</div>
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All in all, everything lasted a little over two hours, and we left St. Peter's around 12:30. Following a little Easter hike and exploring around the hills of Rome, we sat down for a lovely lunch in Trastevere, one of Rome's really great neighborhoods. I had the second best risotto I've ever eaten--it was in a radicchio cream sauce and it was just delicious!<br />
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After lunch, we went to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. I had only ever walked past these important monuments, so it was great to finally fully experience them. Like just about everything else in Europe, the sheer history astonished me. I was walking where people had been walking for hundreds of years before Jesus was even born! It was unreal. The Colosseum is partially in ruins, but we could imagine what it would have looked like in its prime. And it really gives you chills to see the subterranean cells where gladiators, who were essentially slaves bought and trained to fight to the death, were kept in waiting underneath the Colosseum floor. You can picture all of the stands filled with Romans watching this ancient form of "entertainment". And then in the Forum, you can walk around ancient temples and through the paths used to get to the market, or the stadium, or anywhere else ancient Romans would need to go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some ballet in the forum aka pretending to be a statue</td></tr>
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It had gotten chilly very quickly when we were exploring the ancient ruins, so we took shelter at a heated outdoor patio for drinks in the Campo di Fiori--a square with lots of bars and restaurants--then we meandered to the Piazza Navona (another really great square and neighborhood) for another fantastic meal of pasta and wine. The night ended with gelato (as every night should, especially in Rome).</div>
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Easter in Rome was the perfect day for the most important celebration in the Church. Christ was raised from death to save us and give us eternal life in heaven. It was the greatest blessing to celebrate the Resurrection with Catholics from around the world and the Pope--in the city that is the seat of the Church and the site where so many martyrs of the early Church shed their blood so that we can worship freely today. Yay Easter! Yay Rome!</div>
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pax christi.</div>
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<span id="goog_1890015825"></span><span id="goog_1890015826"></span></div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-6403264100216597122012-04-10T21:44:00.002+02:002012-04-10T21:44:26.854+02:00a roman holiday.<div style="text-align: center;">
+jmj+</div>
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Rome is an amazing place. This little pilgrimage weekend was so blessed and joyful! I did not want to leave Rome--everything was just perfect and it is a beautiful, exciting city that feels just so <i>alive</i> in spite of all of its ruins!<br />
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I feel like I spent most of the weekend waiting in line or eating, but that was just fine with me. I am glad I have already visited Rome, and have seen all of the major churches, monuments, and places (as well as lots in between) so I was not as pressed to be a tourist. There were thousands and thousands of other Catholics from all around the world there to celebrate Easter, so everything--especially the Vatican--was particularly crowded. But it was incredible and exhilarating and I loved every second we were there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">versailles</td></tr>
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The weekend started in Versailles, where I stayed over with my friend Rose. We caught up, walked the gardens of the chateau, and went to the Good Friday service before crashing. A mere few hours later, around 4am, it was time to catch our taxi to make it to the airport for our 7am flight! We all caught some z's on the plane, but by the time we landed in Rome, my fatigue was entirely replaced by excitement and joy for being back here! Stopping quickly at our hostel to drop off bags, the first mission was to pick up tickets to Mass for Easter Vigil and Sunday Mass at the Vatican. Navigating the winding, cobble-stoned streets of Rome is a puzzle to be sure, but we successfully located the American seminary offices and picked up our tickets. Stopping briefly at the Trevi fountain, we then walked over to the Vatican where I met up with Garrett, a friend from Totus Tuus who is in seminary in Rome. We enjoyed our first Roman meal of the weekend with him, complete with gelato!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the american seminary offices</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the trevi fountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">throwing a coin means i'll come back to rome!</td></tr>
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Our bellies full of pasta and dessert, Rose and I got in line to wait for the Easter Vigil. At 2pm. Mass was not until 9pm. We had been advised to start waiting in line this early, and it was completely worth it. We were at the head of a line that circled St. Peter's Square entirely. We made friends in line, and were coincidentally right behind a group of guys from Chicago. We had visitors, took short breaks for food runs, and enjoyed the beautiful weather and square. It was a very pleasant 5+ hour wait, even though things got a bit crazy and hectic as the gates were opened to let us in. Surviving some pushing and shoving, we made it into the Basilica and found great seats right along the center aisle in the nave, right next to where Pope Benedict processed in.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">garrett and i</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the monster line already wrapping around the square</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the altar</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pope benedict!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the altar with flowers, ready for sunday morning</td></tr>
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The Easter Vigil was incredible. Not only did we watch the Pope process in from just a few feet in front of us, but we got to attend this beautiful Mass within St. Peter's that was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Besides briefly setting my hair on fire...everything was just perfect. Even from a non-sacristan perspective this year, the Vigil is one of the most beautiful Masses of the year. To celebrate it with the Pope was unbelievable. It was three hours long, but it did not seem like it. The music was incredible, the readings were in 5 different languages, about 20 people were baptized and welcomed into the Church by the Pope, and we were surrounded by Catholics of all languages, cultures, and nationalities. It was amazing.<br />
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This was only one day in Rome. We were there for one and a half more, and even more filled than this! I am still exhausted from the weekend (it doesn't help that I did not get home until 2am this morning...and had to teach all day today...), so more stories of Easter and Rome will have to wait!<br />
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-68990811073474473022012-04-06T14:47:00.000+02:002012-04-06T14:47:44.030+02:00off to rome...<div style="text-align: center;">
+jmj+</div>
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For Easter this year, I am incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to spend most of the Triduum in the Eternal City. Along with millions of Catholics from around the world, I will be celebrating Christ's Resurrection with Pope Benedict in the city that is the epicenter of the Church. It will be an amazing little pilgrimage, even if it is rather short.</div>
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I'm off for three whirlwind days in Italy. We fly out of Paris very early tomorrow morning and will get into Rome around 9am, where I will be until Monday evening. I'm excited! There will be lots of praying, eating, and soaking in some amazing blessings.<br />
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-26896440960697425172012-04-05T22:24:00.004+02:002012-04-05T22:24:38.846+02:00easter in france.<div style="text-align: center;">
+jmj+</div>
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As super excited as I am to be celebrating Easter in Rome, it is still a bit of a shame that I will not be in France to celebrate in my country/culture/church of adoption! But all of my observations the past few weeks of how the French fête the Resurrection is more than making up for my eventual absence. Simply walking down the street in Evreux gives you an idea of what characterizes a typical French Easter.</div>
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Since the most important activity in France is eating, it's not hard to guess one of the most important parts of Easter is, nonetheless, EATING. Of course, food is the center of pretty much anything in France. For Easter, that food is specifically chocolate. It's everywhere, and in insane quantities. And I thought that America had a problem with portion sizes...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter carousel? why not?</td></tr>
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<br />I am constantly amused by all of the random things I find around Evreux. Even eight months after moving here, seeing a giant carousel in front of the Cathedral in the middle of Holy Week should not surprise me, yet it still does.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a hedge decorated with egg garlands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">giant bunny chocolate display</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cakes decorated as nests</td></tr>
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I think one my most interesting finds so far has been Pélote. Gracing the window display of one of the local chocolate shops, this giant sheep is named after the French word for "a ball of yarn", and she weighs in at a hefty over 80 pounds of pure chocolate. That's right. An obese, knitting sheep made entirely of chocolate. The French know how to celebrate Easter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pélote</td></tr>
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<br />Overall, Easter is celebrated in many of the same ways as in America. Lots of food, chocolate, and baby animals. There are certainly some different traditions, but in general, Easter is Easter no matter where you are.<br /><br />pax christi.maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-45834170383697234092012-04-04T21:48:00.003+02:002012-04-04T21:48:59.981+02:00sunsets and holy week.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sunset from my apartment</td></tr>
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Yesterday was the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. This important Mass, taking place within Holy Week in all dioceses around the world, is when all the holy oils are consecrated for the year. It was a beautiful Mass, with nearly all of the priests from the diocese concelebrating with the Bishop. I sang in the choir and it was just lovely.</div>
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Holy Week is about half-over already, and I am getting ready to celebrate Easter in Rome! I leave on Saturday morning and will be there until Monday evening. It will be a quick pilgrimage, but I get to celebrate the Resurrection with thousands of Catholics from around the world, with Pope Benedict! It will be incredible, and very, very prayerful.</div>
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-18536304278058280842012-04-02T21:50:00.000+02:002012-04-02T21:50:05.698+02:00a walk in paris...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>A walk in Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.</i></div>
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-Thomas Jefferson</div>
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There are plenty of things that I will miss about living in France. Possibly most of all will be Paris. I am spoiled here, and Paris really never ceases to delight me. Not being able to hop on a train into the City of Love will be quite an adjustment. I am going to miss it!</div>
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-835853729992272212012-04-01T20:22:00.002+02:002012-04-02T10:15:10.066+02:00a week in paris.<div style="text-align: center;">
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The past week have been just lovely. With my family in town, I have been able to spend lots of time with them and it has given me the perfect boost of re-invigoration to finish off this year! As hard as it is to believe, I will officially be home five weeks from today. I have three weeks of school, then two weeks of traveling, then CHICAGO!!!<br />
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So basically all week I galavanted around Paris with some loved ones under a big, beautiful sun. It was blissful and delightful and just what the doctor ordered for this spring weather. We walked all over and I got to show them some of my favorite places in this city I love so much. I felt like a tour guide again, and it was wonderful! We made stops at Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, the Shakespeare & Co. book store, plenty of yummy restaurants, ice cream stands, Montmartre, the Louvre, the Tuileries, the Luxembourg gardens, and plenty more. Paris did not disappoint this week--not that it ever does!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">notre dame, from the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sainte chapelle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the louvre, early morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hammurabi's code!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nike</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the italian hallway at the louvre</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sacré coeur on montmartre</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kate and i</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sacré coeur at dusk</td></tr>
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-55973467131603357662012-03-26T23:46:00.000+02:002012-03-26T23:46:07.899+02:00mont st-michel. take two.<div style="text-align: center;">
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We woke up bright & early this morning for another full day of visits and touring. With another breakfast of pain au chocolat happily in our bellies (I think my Uncle Jack will never be the same after experiencing the delight that is pain au chocolat...), we headed back to the Caen Memorial to go through the museum. We did not have enough time yesterday, and we knew it was worth the visit.<br />
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It was a very detailed and involved museum. Starting from the end of World War I and going all through European history until the fall of the Berlin Wall (roughly 1918-1989, over 70 years of history...). There were so many artifacts from soldiers, the war field, civilians, and all of the affected governments. It took a few hours to walk through it all and read all of the descriptions.<br />
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After spending the morning at the museum, we drove to Mont St-Michel. Like a few weeks ago, we had great weather and the fam was blown away! They loved it, and it was so much fun seeing their reactions to this important French monument. We visited the abbey and the surrounding city, enjoyed a lunch in the sun, and then headed to Evreux for the night!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bay :)</td></tr>
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Another lovely day with the family! This week will be full of adventures!<br />
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-11510513123598648972012-03-25T22:56:00.003+02:002012-03-25T22:56:53.698+02:00the family has arrived.<div style="text-align: center;">
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I have visitors!!! My aunt, uncle, and cousin are here for the week, and it is so wonderful to see them and be able to be a tour guide!<br />
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After some crazy weather and cancellations in Chicago on Friday, they ended up getting here early this morning and drove from Paris to Evreux to meet me at my apartment. It was surreal! They just showed up at my front porch! Real live Americans in the middle of Evreux! We grabbed a quick breakfast of pain au chocolat (chocolate croissants--a hit all around) and hit the road.<br />
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We began the trip in Caen, at the World War II Memorial and for a tour of the Normandy beaches. I hadn't been there ever, so it was a first for everyone. We had a guided tour with a lovely little French man named Jean-François and a great driver, Kareem.<br />
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The tour was powerful, to say the least. To be at all of these sites that saw so much bloodshed and violence in such a short amount of time, and that were so integral to the outcome of WWII was inexplicable. We had very appropriate weather--it was supposed to be sunny and warm, but we were covered in a dense fog with wind and a chill all day. Very somber for a very somber place. We saw German bunkers and artillery batteries, with real guns. We walked through fields that had been blasted with bombs and grenades and still bear the scars. We peered into trenches and heard the ocean beating against the now-serene beaches.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an intact German bunker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside a collapsed bunker</td></tr>
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One of the most moving stops on the tour was our trip to the American Cemetery. Over 9,400 American soldiers are buried here. It is a well-maintained, thoughtful memorial to all of the soldiers who gave their lives in this heroic attack. Every detail is deliberate and accounted for and the American and French governments have worked together for the respect of all of these men (and four women). Each of the graves is specifically tended by a French person, and they each face the West--towards the United States.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the memorial monument with reflection pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">map of all of the air strikes, from the beaches to Paris</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evreux--site of a major air strike</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rows of graves</td></tr>
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<br />All of this to take in within a five-hour period. It was hard to believe that less than 70 years ago, this all took place, right beneath our feet. Soldiers poured onto these beaches and trudged across these fields with the goal of liberty and righteousness. Now, there are remains of this, but the grass has grown green again and the tide has washed these beaches clean. As pervasive as these memories are, the hope is permeable and has lasted since.<br /><br />
pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885405005677268352.post-49763622943220150272012-03-24T21:47:00.000+01:002012-03-24T21:47:11.061+01:00saturday in evreux...<div style="text-align: center;">
+jmj+</div>
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...is wonderfully French. I just wanted to walk around all day. And that really is what I did most of the day. Springtime suits Evreux very much. Especially on a Saturday, when everyone is at the market, except without heavy coats and giant scarves. Kids walk around with ice cream cones instead of warm croissants.</div>
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The warm weather is continuing, and will be here for the rest of this week as well. It is unheard of for spring here! I briefly reviewed weather and the seasons with my kids this week and, when we got to spring, they all gave the typical description of "It's rainy", "It's cloudy", "It's windy". But a few of my (brighter) students pointed out that it was, in fact, currently spring but neither rainy nor cloudy nor windy! So we added a nice big sun next to the rain and clouds because this spring deserves it. All the Normands are taking advantage of this unusual weather, and they're quite nice this way :)</div>
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pax christi.</div>maurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04465634661192715806noreply@blogger.com0