Holy Saturday/Easter Sunday

Church was in the AM, and we all went and had John take communion. He slept through the whole service just about. That evening, Fr. had asked me to carry the Resurrection banner that my mom and dad had bought for the church. Holy Saturday night/Easter Sunday morning is an awesome service, and Fr. made it really special. Just before midnight, all the lights are turned off in the church. Only one light exists – a single candle in the altar the priest is holding, symbolizes the risen Lord. Just before the priest goes out to the congregation, Fr. Stavros read his sermon. It was about what he thought heaven was like. He made a reference to my dad again, recalling a dream my dad was in. It made me so hopeful and so sad at the same time.

I stayed in the altar that whole night, sitting in the chair my Dad sat in about 4 months prior.

2005 1500TT (LCM)

felt okay.

total = 28.52
1st 500 - 10.04
2nd 500 - 9.32
3rd 500 - 9.15

Good Friday

There are three services on Good Friday, at 9AM, 3PM, and 7PM. I’ve never been to the 9AM one. At 3PM, the body of Christ is taken off of the cross. 7PM is Jesus’ “funeral.” Fr. Stavros had asked Dad to take the body down with him. Since Dad wasn’t there, Fr. asked me to do it. Knowing it would be incredibly difficult, I accepted. Is it a piece of wood? Of course it is. But it is what that wood represents.

If you can imagine holding the dead, lifeless body of Jesus, that’s what I did, and that’s kind of how I felt.

Once the body is taken down, another procession takes place around the inside of the Church. The priest and a helper (me) walks around holding a sewn, clothe version of the body. Held my composure until I saw Mom.

Then, the altar boys kneel before the tomb (where the “body” that I mentioned above) is placed. Then, Fr. and Mike (brother-in-law) sang together. Was a bit surprised when that happened, but it was really nice. Really nice.

PS – Fr. had asked me to sing, but um, I don’t sing. The fam thought that was very amusing.

That evening, at the “funeral” a lot of hymns are sung. Another procession, this time outside the church, takes place. I was fine that night until the choir walked out of the church, following the priest, just before the congregation. I was waiting to see Dad. Not there. That’s when it hit me.

Holy Thursday

Drove to Tampa Thursday AM. HT is, to me, the most special and beautiful service of the whole year. The priest reads 12 gospel readings detailing Jesus’ passion, trial, crucifixion and death. The service lasts about 3 hours or so. After the fifth gospel, the priest carries a cross, with an icon of a crucified Jesus on it around the inside of the church. Kneeling, the congregation closes their eyes, imagines being there 2000 years ago.

Once this happens, the choir sings more beautiful and haunting hymns. Of course I don’t understand them, but you have to read along. It shouldn’t be easy to be a Christian; you’ve got to work at it.

Once this is all done, Fr. Stavros gave his sermon (in the middle of the service, after the procession around the church). The man has never given a bad sermon in his life. He talked about how we should approach the cross with humility. To kneel in front of the cross as if you were kneeling at the very feet of Jesus on the cross. We did, and I knew it would be tough for me, as it was for my mom and sister and brother-in-law. (other sister was still in Jacksonville). It was one of the most incredible church services I’ve ever been to.

Holy Week

Holy week for an Orthodox Christian is serious business. Church services, and long ones, are every night, and sometimes there are services during the day. This was an especially emotional week, since it was the first holiday since Dad passed away. I knew it would be tough for all of us. Before I forget any more, here it is. I’ll start with the services we were at in Tampa.

The Men's Locker Room...

I hate the Men's Locker Room. There's nothing about it I like.

I have no choice though...unless I wanted to go to work smelling like a dog. That's not an option.

There are two particular instances that really have scarred me for life. First, after quickly finishing my shower, I dry off. Well, of course two stalls down this guy finishes as well. Then, he proceeds to rub Noxema all up and down his body. Once done, he goes to his locker, comes around the corner, and stares at me then goes back. All the while, he's got this wierd smile on his face.

The second "happening" was with someone else. He swims in the early afternoon, and I have (unfortunately) been there at the same time. At least THREE times, I've seen him in the locker room, and he sees me. Then he pretends like he's leaving, goes around the corner and mysteriously re-appears. I have come close to just asking him if 1) he is gay and 2) is he checking me out. I could really care less if he is gay or not. I DO NOT like that he eyeballs me while I'm putting my boxers on.

There have been a couple more strange folks around...Shreck, Kung Fu, the "Wrestler", and a few more that haven't earned nicknames.

I hate the locker room.

what a strange day...

Today was odd. I was so busy, it was a regular old day. Talked with a co-worker about him traveling to one of my Club's dinner events.

Then at 5:30PM, I got word that he had "resigned." This was such a surprise. Although I had known that it was just a matter of when, I didn't expect it to happen the way or the time that it did. I felt a surge of strange emotions...shock, relief, a bit of happiness, shock! It hasn't been easy dealing with this for 6+ years, and now it was over.

I felt a bit validated.

But I also felt a bit sad. That is where the confusion starts setting in. I was a bit for him. Also, the first thing I wanted to do was to call my parents and tell them. They, along with Bessie, have been on this roller coaster ride that I've had. I couldn't do that. That's what made me really sad and I think that's where most of the sadness comes from.

I'm glad today is over. It also was SAA's banquet. What a nice night, and an absolutely perfect way to end this semester.

We shall see what the future holds.

Tomorrow, I promise myself I'll write something funny!!

2005 2000M TT (LCM)

Did the 2kTT this AM at a LCM pool. Results were not was I was hoping for, but I've never done one of these, so I can't be THAT disappointed in my effort.

TOTAL - 39.06
1st 500 - 9.54
2nd 500 - 9.47
3rd 500 - 9.43
4th 500 - 9.41

My initial goal was 9.10 (1.50/100), but after the first 500 I knew that wasn't happening. I went out very conservative, but I was concerned that I wouldn't have anything in the tank at the end. I was tired at the end, very winded. HR was going at a good clip (didn't measure, but knew it was.) I do not know what this would equal if I was doing it in a yards pool, so I'm not totally sure if I should be happy or not. Gut instinct = happy I completed it, a bit upset that I didn't hit closer to my goal time. I think it is a confidence thing for me.