Life in a Bubble

Unique as the Irish

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:44:00 +0000

I came across an interesting site today while I was browsing other things on the internet. I thought I would share it with whoever still reads this ole thing (I keep trying to get back into the habit of writing down things in here, but tis so difficult, despite being such an essentially simple thing to do). In Co. Cork, Ireland, a reforestation effort has been launched with a unique twist. Ireland is one of the least forested of all European countries, so to help with the costs of planting a bit of Ireland back to forest, a group of people in Ireland have launched a memorial program that honors a deceased loved one with a tree and a plaque planted in this forest of remembrance.

I think that it is something very interesting and unique, and sounds like a great thing to do, especially for us Irish-Americans, who would otherwise not leave any mark on the old country. If you want to check it out, I have provided a link...it's pretty cool and worth checking out!!!

Advent is Coming

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:26:00 +0000

Found this on Youtube.com today...and just wanted to post something for the sake of posting something, as I have not posted anything in FOREVER!

The beginning is a little boring, but once the song begins it is lovely. The Choir is from the University of Notre Dame.

OH dear...

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:37:00 +0000

Let's just say that I have writer's block...that or just a lack of things to say (which is so not me...so it must be a lack of things to type).

I Bind My Heart This Tide

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:22:00 +0000

While browsing on Youtube.com I came across this video...I found it very moving and inspiring and thought I would pass along this treasure to you. Love the sound of this all men's choral group!

So..When is St. Patrick's Day?

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:05:00 +0000

St. Patrick's Day, as most everybody knows, is March 17th. This year, however, that date is smack dab in the middle of Holy Week. Since Holy Week takes precidence over all other feast days in the Liturgical Calendar, St. Patrick's Day (as well as St. Joseph's Day) needed to be moved to a time outside of Holy Week. So this year, St. Patrick's day as been moved to March 14th, or the Friday before Holy Week. All the usual dispensations in heavily Irish dioceses have been removed as regards abstaining and fasting on Fridays during Lent.

Now...the question is, when will you be celebrating St. Patrick's Day this year? Most secular festivities honoring the beloved Saint's feast are going on as usual on March 17th, and the Church reiterates that only the liturgical observence of the feast has been moved. But that begs the question when will I be celebrating? I have more than half a mind to celebrate both days (why not?) but the remaining percent makes me think that I should observe March 14th in a prayful spirit of Thanksgiving in honor of the Saint that brought the light of Christ to my ancestors, and avoid the usual trappings and brohaha of the day, saving that for March 17th...so I don't know...I think it will some mixture of my better feelings and my love of a good craic!

Anyway...just so you are all aware of the effects of an early Easter, and food for thought! Oh and here is an aticle from the Ireland.com talking about the change of date.

Dia dhuit!

Qdoba

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:51:00 +0000

Hey everyone, after months of endless searching and countless applications....I finally have a JOB!!! I am very excited (if you can't tell already) to be working at Qdoba Mexican Grill. I just finished my first real day on the job (before I was just training...not that that wasn't work...just all the not so fun stuff). I would love to see a familiar face...so if any of you are ever around Knapp and the East Beltline (near Celebration! Cinema) in Grand Rapids, please come on over!

So what does "Qdoba" mean? Now don't go and get out those Spanish-English dictionaries! It is actually a made up word that means nothing but simple sounds Mexican! Sort of like the food there...its all inspired by traditional food South of the Border, but is created with the American palette in mind.

News one only hears out of Ireland...

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:00:00 +0000

I opened my Hotmail today and one of the news headlines read: "Irish cops bust beer thieves." The first thing that came to mind was "only out of Ireland" so I thought I would share some of the funnier parts...as well as a link to the Full Story.

"The Garda Siochana police force declined to specify how many kegs have been recovered following the Nov. 29 raid, when a lone man drove a truck into the brewery, hitched up a trailer loaded with 450 kegs and drove straight out through the security gate into rush-hour traffic. Guinness called it the biggest robbery in the 248-year history of the brewery."

-not very well planned...running into rush hour traffic (but then maybe they thought they were the Irish version of the Italian Job).

"The stolen trailer was loaded up with 180 kegs of Guinness stout, 180 kegs of brand Budweiser and 90 kegs of Danish brand Carlsberg."

-One wonders why they didn't just stick to taking the good beer?
-talk about a party...why didn't I get an invitation?

Ethan James Heffron

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:22:00 +0000

Esther holding her little brother Ethan for the first time (so cute!!!).Daddy and his little boy. My how tiny he is!
Family picture (Esther was a little upset over something).
Uncle Brendan holds Ethan...aww...so precious!
Rocking Baby Ethan while Jassica and James catch some rest.
Things are going great here at Andrews AFB. Thanksgiving dinner turned out wonderfully (I know...a bit of a pat on the back there...but I liked it). Esther loves the new baby and Ethan is such a good little boy...although he keeps his parents up more at night than his bigger sister did. Love you all see you back home soon!

Feast of All Souls

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:42:00 +0000

Lux Aeterna luceat eis Domine

cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum

quia pius es. Amen

May the Souls of the Faithful Departed

Through the mercy of God

Rest in Peace. Amen

The Legend of Jack of the Lantern

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:51:00 +0000

There once was a young man named Jack. He was a vagabond and a trickster, preferring to trick his way through life and stealing than earning and honest living.

One day, Jack was waiting at the crossroads in the hopes that some unwary travelers would come by asking for directions to the Inn (Jack often did this...offering to guide them through the Irish mists in exchange for some money...and would then lead them down the road into the bogs to their dooms). But this night, instead of a stranger coming down the road, the Devil himself met Jack at the crossroads.

"Jack!;" said the Devil, "I've been a'looking for you...seems your time is up and I've come to take you home for your eternal reward."

"Is that so?" Jack asked, considerably shaken but this revelation. "Well then I guess that I am ready to go...but before I do, could you grant me one last earthly request?"

The devil thought this over for a bit and then said "Well now Jack, seeing as I have enjoyed leading you astray for all these years...I guess one last bit of pleasure wouldn't do me harm. What would you like?"

"I would like that apple...there on the topmost branch of this here apple tree...only I cannot get it since I hurt my leg today;" replied Jack.

So up the tree the devil sprang to get the apple...and quick as a cat Jack carved a big cross on the trunk of the tree so that the Devil could not come back down.

"There now Devil," cried Jack, "Come and take away my spirit now!"
"Curse you!" shouted the Devil from the tree, "let me down and I promise I'll not take your spirit tonight or any night hereafter!"

So, with this promise, Jack cut down the tree and down the devil came with it, leaving Jack safe and alive. Yet, all living things must die, and Jack did eventually as well...only he was not allowed in heaven because of his wicked life...nor would the Devil allow him onto Hell...on account of his promise. So now Jack wonders the world with just a little lantern to guide him in the night...hoping to find some place to stay for the night. But he can't even find hospitality on earth...out of fear that he may be up to his old tricks, people carved out turnips and pumpkins with frightening faces to remind him of his evil deeds...thus keeping away Jack O'Lantern.

Happy New Year!...?

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:29:00 +0000

Samhain (pronounced "sow-en") is the ancient Celtic celebration of the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. Each year, according to Celtic Mythology, a new sun god (male) was born of the goddess of the earth each spring. During the year he grew old until he dies in the late autumn with the darkening of the year, but not before he has taken earth as his bride and left her with a new son god to be born in the spring. so the end of the year is also the beginning.

However, with the death of the sun god, the souls of the wicked creatures and the dead all run wild on this night. In order to confuse the spirits and keep them from harming the living, the Celtic people devised many "tricks" that are still used to this day (although not for the original intended purpose). Bonfires are still a traditional part of Halloween (Samhain) which were thought to chase away the evil spirits who would think that it was the sun god still living.

Another method of tricking the creatures, was to disguise yourself as one of them so that they would mistake you for one of their own and leave you be. Part of this was that many families would invite the spirits in for a feast, the food would distract them long enough for the living to done costumes...and lead the spirits from the house dancing their way out in the wilderness, away from the homes of the living. But for the timid spirits, just a scary face would do to frighten them away!

Happy Halloween!

Riverdance goes Bananas!

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:43:00 +0000

See? Even Monkeys know what good music is!

Catechism Class

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:43:00 +0000

Today I taught my third Catechism class at St. Patrick's. Every Sunday morning my sister Maura and I teach Catechism to the most fantastic group of little third graders. The first class was a bit hard for me. I have been in college education for so long that I have sort of forgotten how little children learn and think. Now that I am on my third time though, we are having so much fun...and I actually think that I might be teaching them something! It's so much fun to see their smiling bright young faces get all lit up when they answer a questions correctly or do something pleasing. I love how they call me "Mr. Heffron." I am still getting a handle on maintaining order and discipline while keeping things fun and lively for them (especially since I have mostly little boys...and they tend to be a bit of a rambunctious crowd). Its a bit of work...but I am getting used to preparing lessons and it will be a good experience for me should I return to Seminary or continue as a teacher. I don't think that third graders are where I am best suited as a teacher, but its not like I can't do it. I love all my little students...we are going to have a great year!

Autumnal Wonders

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 22:05:00 +0000

This is Strotheide Road looking West in front of my house.
An old tree in the woods that I thought had interesting branches.
This is my house from the woods across the pond (the second story window is my room).
Another view of Strotheide looking west just past my house.
Love the contrast in this photo!

Still Searching...

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:58:00 +0000

It is my firm belief that nobody likes a depressing post (and if you do I think that you should be studied). This is, perhaps, one of the chief reasons that I have not posted much of late. All my news seems to be bound up in looking for a job...and all my creativity too for that matter. It is amazing how draining it can be to the cognitive faculties to do nothing more than writing down my name, address information and work experience on daily applications!

However...never fear my friends! Happier days are coming to the Bubble soon (I HOPE!!!) as my Aunt Janice (thank you), and Aunt Sheila have both joined the ranks of people looking for suitable employment for me. As well as mine own efforts...I think that somewhere something is bound to turn up!

Also...I do have a few posts bouncing around the ol' noggin...they should find there way out sometime soon...and I think I will buy a new camera cable for the digital camera at home (ours seems to have run off someplace) so at least I can keep you all posted with some pictures (fallback entertainment...a.k.a. "filler" for an otherwise intellectually and comically stagnant Bubble)

The Big Scoop from a Small Town

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 01:14:00 +0000

...or village more like...

Smyrna, Michigan, home to nothing special really, just a few quiet village type peoples. One thing that they do have is a nice quaint little general grocery store. The Smyrna Grocery, among the regular party store type offerings, this particular store has a nice little ice cream shoppe in one corner. Knowing this, and it being a hot day, I decided to take my little brother out to get some ice cream. Little did we know what was in store for us...

We ordered two small size cones (as I did not want to spend much, and just wanted a little taste) and the girl began to scope out the luscious cream (I got chocolate)...one...two...THREE!!! scoops. As she handed it to me my brothers eyes nearly popped out of his head at the size of the thing! I myself was rather flabbergasted...it was a leaning tower of ice cream literally overflowing from the dinky little Joy cup cone! And of course it begins to melt like crazy in the heat...we had to eat the cones outside on the front steps of the grocery so that all the town could see us trying to keep the cascades of sweet cream from dripping all over us.

Needless to say we did not quite manage to get out of this affair with our dignity, although my brother (who is ten) fared better due to his age. I cannot remember the last time I have made such a mess eating a cone...Chocolate all over my face, both hands and three little streams that dried on the way down to my elbow! Just soooo happy that nobody I knew came by while I was pigging my way through the cone.

...on a side note...the Ice Cream was really good...just next time I think I will get a bowl!

A Rather Dry Summer

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:15:00 +0000

This summer has been a most eventful one for me. Despite the lack of activity apparent from the contents of this blog (none within the past several weeks) I have actually been doing a lot of things, just nothing interesting nor wholly worthwhile to report. That being said, I thought that I should give a little recap of what I have been up to for those interested parties who have not heard from me for a while.

After four years of college and a year of seminary studies and two months in Mexico, I decided that it was high time for me to take a little break from it all. It's difficult to devote almost your entire life to one thing for so long, and yet have the goal still further off. This past year really drained me, but it also showed me that I need some growing up to do. A lot of the guys at the seminary had a few years on their own, working, and living on their own. I call this "living life" or "real life experience." Because I went right from the extreme shelter of home-schooling to four years in small Catholic Colleges and then the seminary, I have not fully (at least to my satisfaction) experienced life to the degree that I feel a candidate for priesthood should. I do not want to be a young priest, who while having all the education possible, lacks any idea of how to live on his own, take care of himself and the day to day cares of 90% of the Catholic population. So this is why I have left seminary formation for the time being (don't worry...I plan to go back someday); to get in touch with the day to day life of normal people and to live a few experiences that my sheltered life has not enabled me to encounter.

So I am now looking for employment, which hopefully pays well and is a job that I like. I have already submitted several application to a variety of places, but have yet to receive any word back. It is already strange not to be back in school this year...after almost 18 years of going to school in the fall...one feels almost like a fish out of water, and more than a little old.

Now you know what I have been up to. I have not been idle, but already I am happy that I made the decision that I did. While it is tough getting over this initially, I believe that I will reap abundant reward from following the will of Christ for my life. So even though the summer has been so dry...there is yet a bit of dew in the mornings!

Summer Woes

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:36:00 +0000

Summer posting will be sparse (at least that is what the weather man said). I don't use the internet too much in the summer due to the inconvenience of it and the little time that I can spend on it. I also have a lot more cares during the summer that call me away from thinking of silly little nothings to post here...so until further notice, the "Bubble" will be on summer vacation with no (or little if any) posts. Hope you all have a great summer. I will miss you and the "Bubble" will too...it gets lonely in the here sometimes.

In Honor of my Fore-Fathers

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 14:07:00 +0000

My Fore-Fathers

Now sit you down,

and I'll tell ye,

what you should know

'bout your ancestry.

We start with James,

In Eire 'twas born.

In place of his sons,

fought in Civil War.

William his son,

with wagon did hurry,

to bring back his father,

in Parnell for to bury.

Thomas is next,

gentle and kind,

helped out his neighbours

when help they couldn't find.

Clayton was known

for miles around,

for in village and dale,

his blarney'd abound!

Then there is Tim,

true to his kin,

for God and his fam'ly's

ever dearest to him.

Now mind you well,

now that you know,

to honor their mem'ry,

for you reap what they sowed!

-Brendan Heffron,

12, June, 2007

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand He's Back!

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:03:00 +0000

I cannot tell you how glad I am to be back State-side (American States that is...)! It seems an eternity since I left...that's what total immersion in a foreign country does to you...and Mexico is sooooo foreign. They seem to take pride in taking the word "foreign" to a whole new level of meaning. Anyway...I can't wait to see my friends again...and yes...Facebook will be back up again soon!

Beuna Suerte me Amigos!!!

¡Poco, Pico y Picante!

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Wed, 23 May 2007 22:32:00 +0000

Bugs. I just can't seem to stay away from them...or rather, they from me. Since arriving in Cuernavaca, Mexico, I have been waking up every morning with at least one new bit (pico in español). I have gone over me room I don't know how many times trying to find the culprit(s) but to no avail! I just keep getting bitten by the bugs down here (who seem to have a fondness for my blood as nobody else is getting bitten) and on top of that...I seem to be allergic to them to! The bits swell up like no other!

Moving on...but still on the subject of bugs...you will have no idea what they served us to eat at the school the other day. Yep...you guessed it...bugs! They were explaining to us some of the foods of Mexico. Among the many itemes that most of us are familiar with, maiz, chiles, mangos, etc...there...in the middle of the table in a glass jar sat a bunch of live bugs (looked similar to really fat stink bugs....the best I can do for visuals...but smelled something like ladybugs). I, of course, refused to eat even one, but a bunch of the other guys (some just to prove that they were a man...what is up with that?) had at least one. Taste was described as akin to Redhots candy. For one of us though...it was not to be the most interesting food expierience of his day...

One of the seminarians...for some stupid idiotic reason...decided that he would just pop a habañero pepper into his mouth. At first he was okay...but then he was not, it took forever to cool down his mouth with milk, fruit, and finally a trip to the ice cream store. His mouth was so red afterwards...it was hard not to laugh at his pain because of his stupid machismo! Anyway...he pulled through alright, but this morning he said that all night his stomach gave him hell...as well we all knew it would!

Well...its still hot down here my friends. I miss you all sooooo much, and cannot wait to see you all again...in three weeks. Love you all...from...

Tu hermano en Jesuchristo!

Mi Primera Semana en México

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Thu, 10 May 2007 02:02:00 +0000

My first week in Mexico I stayed at the minor seminary of the Archdiocese of Tlanlapantla. The seminarians (high schoolers) were very friendly and it was a bit of a challenge trying to communicate with them with only halting Spanish on my part and little to no English on theirs. Still, we had a good time, and made some friends.

The day after our arrival (Thursday) we went to the Anthropological Museum in Mexico City. Many interesting things there...but I have to say a lot of it was frightening, all sorts of Aztec artifacts, all having to do with human sacrifice...and lots of it at that! It was very weird to think that the things that I was touching and seeing right in front of me, ran with human blood just six hundred years earlier.

On Friday the we all travelled to the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan. We climbed to the top of the Temple of the Sun following in the footsteps of priests who climbed the step incline of the pyramid centuries before us. The view was awesome and the place was truly amazing! Never before have I been in a place so completely ancient...and I did it without even leaving the continent!

The ride to the pyramids was a bit of an adventure though...traffic in Mexico City is just plain crazy. There is next to no order on the streets and they are flooded with cars, buses, motercycles and pedestrians. Many time there seemed to be only a few inches between the side of our bus and the the vehicle next to us...not something that makes you feel very comfortable. Well on the way to the Pyramids our bus bumped (nothing serious) with another vehicle...basically just scraped the side a bit. We were stuck while they sorted out the affair for about an hour before another bus was called to take us the rest of the way to the Pyramids. This bus was not as professional as our previous charter bus...as was proved but the bus driver pulling over at a certain point and dropping off some old tires before continuing on our way...goes without saying that this was a huge reminder to us that we were not in the U.S.A. anymore!

The Next day we went to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The place is absolutely awesome and the devotion that is still given to the Virgin is astounding. The Mexican people have a great gift in this holy place, and I felt so priveledged to be able to visit the place that she appeared and see the Tilma with her image imprinted upon it with mine own eyes. The Tilma was very beautiful, even after all these years, and it was very moving being so close to something so holy.

Needless to say this is a very quick rundown of some of my expieriences in the past few days...but I don´t want to spoil the story telling when I get back...since I get more enjoyment out of telling a story over a few beers with you in person than via the internet. Keep me in your prayers...it is a little hard being in a place that you don´t understand the custumes and the language that well...but I am doing well, so don´t worry about anything! The keyboard is a little weird and everything (including spell check) is in Spanish, so if things don´t look quite right, it is due to the limitations of my understanding. I love you all and miss you all very much...or as they say in Espaniole, te qiero mucho!

Buenas Noches me amigos!

Reverse Migration

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Tue, 01 May 2007 20:57:00 +0000

I have meet many Mexicans in my life. They have come as long as I can remember to help out on the farms up here in Michigan. But I guess that I have always been on the receiving side of Hispanic culture...them coming to us. Now I am going down to learn about them and their language at their home. A reversal of the usual migration pattern that I have grown accustomed to.

Now for all of you who have long been demanding that I let you know what is/will be going on...I give you the Itinerary of the next two months!

May 2, 9am I depart for Mexico from Detroit Airport
May 2-6 I will be visiting the Mexico City and learning about their history and culture.
May 6-June 15 I will be in Cuernavaca learning Spanish and living with my Mexican family (Justino and Costanza)
June 16-24 I will be doing door to door evangelization (or something like that) in some Hispanic communities in Detroit or Flint Michigan.
June 24 2006...I am finished for the summer
June 24-July 4 I have completely free and will be packing up my possessions at school and will hopefully be seeing a lot of my friends in the Ann Arbor area before heading back home.

Hopefully I will be able to post to the Bubble while in Mexico...so stay tuned (and pray for this Gringo!)

Hangin' Loose...

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 01:51:00 +0000

Graduation or Commencement, whatever term you prefer, at Sacred Heart Seminary is over as of Saturday. My family came out to see me get an Alumnus Certificate, which does not mean all that much academically speaking, but which meant that I was able to wear my Ave Maria Colors for the first time (SO PROUD OF OUR ALMA MATER...as painful as some of the time was). Funny how every time I "graduate" though I basically am served blanks...well at least a consolation now is that I am going to accredited institutions now.

Speaking of Accredited Institutions...the Graduation ceremony at Sacred Heart was so painless!!! "practice" took all of a half hour (instead of an insanely heated and intense 3 hours or so) and then Graduation itself went without a hitch and was beautiful to boot! It was great to be there to see Thom graduate with his Masters! Although his Masters sleeves makes him look a little "witchy."

Since then I have been hanging out with Thom Peters at various locations around Ann Arbor-Saline. Great to just sit back and relax, and rest up for the next big adventure in my life...MEXICO! Details on Mexico will be coming soon...

Medication, Procrastination, and Education

noreply@blogger.com (The Bard) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:48:00 +0000

I should be writing a paper right now, but as it is, I have absolutely no interest in the subject nor desire to finish the paper. On top of this, is that the paper is due...and I quote, on "Wednesday, April, 23." Not only, as I have just discovered, is April 23rd a Monday but there is no mention of a time...which I must conclude means that it is due by 11:59 tomorrow...so I still have time right?

In other news, I have discovered these really cool Tylenol (Extra Strength...read "for Students") caplets. And when I say "cool" I mean it literally. It is a new kind that has been coated with something resembling a breath mint. Once you swallow the pill, your mouth has a minty freshness to it...rather than the icky taste of medicine if you leave it in your mouth too long. The problem is that I find myself liking to take medication now...but rest assured...I do have a headache and needed to take it tonight!

Ah, well, just one more day and I am all finished with this year of education. Wednesday (at approximately 9pm) will see me freed once again of another year's worth of academic slavery!