Hi everyone.
Today's isn't going to be extremely exciting.
This morning we learned about the notion of love and its historical roots in the thought of JP II. There was some interesting Thomistic and Aristotelian lines of thinking about the 4 kinds of love that I hadn't heard before, as well as a very different way of going about it then C.S. Lewis does. It was by Fr. Kubczek and it was excellent as always. I will be ordering his book on the philosophical anthropology of JP II quite soon.
After that was coffee break followed by a second lecture by Prof. Hittinger on Catholic Social Doctrine. Again, it was very profound. He has a book on this stuff that I, again, will be getting. It just blew my socks off...literally. The persecutions the Church went through in the 18th and 19th century, well, I don't think Catholics know about them and about how many Catholics have actually been martyred. He likened it to the Holocaust in that it was the same course of action, a systematic and intentional extinction of Catholics. It is amazing what the Church has been through in regards to this. Also, he talks about the political nature of the Sacred Heart (it is quite fascinating) Marian apparitions, and how every encyclical a Pope has put out on the rosary has been social in nature. Quite amazing.
He also talked about the history of the idae of subsidiaridy. We talked about it in group discussion alongside the notion of private use and private property. Fascinating discussions ensued to say the least. I discussed it over with him at dinner and asked him what he thought about the state of Canadian Health Care in regards to this and he said, really, it does defy the principles. He said that yes, Health Care is a public good, but that, for reasons of better access and for incentives in order to become better at its service, some public goods are held in private. Examples are food and education. These are both public goods for everyone to have access too. But just because it is a public good does not necessitate that it ought to be held by a public agency. Imagine if the State was in charge of food and distribution! And education is provided by the state, but it is also provided privately too, though more so in the States then in Canada. So, fundamentally, you cannot use the argument that because it is a public good that it must be held in public for there are many clear examples against this.
Dinner and lunch were excellent today where, again, many awesome conversations ensued. Sometimes they're not that intellectual either, we just sit back and relax. There has been beer every day because it is so amazingly cheap here. It comes out to be about $2.50 for a half liter of beer here. We have gone out for drinks many times already over the week and it has been a great and relaxing way to end the days!
Now I am going to spend the rest of my evening tonight relaxing with a good book. We are going for a boat trip down a river in between a bunch of mountains tomorrow which should be quite nice and am looking forward to it. I will get someone else to bring their camera though, I don't trust mine.
So, all in all it has been a great opening week. Lots of great education mixed in with great conversations and a lot of fun. It has definitely confirmed my yearning for further education, this has been where I have been thriving and just enjoying it so much.
I hope all is well with everyone else!
God bless!
Harrison
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Friday, July 06, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
In Beautiful Krakow!
Hi Everyone!
Well, I have some interesting stuff that happened to me!
First, I did not fall asleep last night. I couldn't sleep. I guess I didn't adjust as well as I thought to the timezones. This is good though because the front desk never did give me the wake up call I was expecting at 4am, so it must have been the hand of providence that ensured I didn't sleep.
So I go downstairs to pay and found out that my card is declined. He tried a second time and the same thing happened again! Needless to say, I was freaking out. So I went to a bank machine, and it wouldn't let me take that amount out of my Visa card. So I took the money from my bank account and am going to have to get a hold of my parents to see if they can temporarily put $500 in my account...as this has caused great distress and no access to funds for me. God has and will provide. Weird thing is that to pay for my ticekt on the Gatwich Express, I tried my Visa and it worked! Very odd indeed. I will be making a call to my Visa company. I am not happy to say the least as I put almost all my funds on my Visa (easier to use, and cheaper). I pray that I WILL have access to them.
I have a feeling they may have put a security freeze on it for the large deposit I just made for the houses we are renting for the Eucharistic Congress.
Anyways, I get to the airport and see a MASSIVE line for baggage drop. Thankfully I got in in time, but am happy I didn't leave any later! I didn't expect that kind of line up!
So then it is through the security check. I have to give them my ticket and they take my picture for their database, I then have to put my bag through the normal x-ray thing, walk through the metal detector, get frisked, and then put my shoes through an x-ray machine! Needless to say, it makes flying rather....annoying and not worth doing.
So I got on the plane and promptly passed out. Finally, some sleep! I arrived at the Priory at about 12pm local time (3am PST). The schedule looks out of this world! Unfortunately it seems that Michale Novak is not here this year, I was looking forward to meeting him.
Tonight we start off with an opening lecture my George Weigel, followed by Mass and then dinnner at 7:30pm. I am thinking I might go hit a McDonald's or something as I haven't had anything to eat since Lunch yesterday.
So that has been my interesting day. I'm going to go get some food and take a nap!
God Bless!
Harrison
Well, I have some interesting stuff that happened to me!
First, I did not fall asleep last night. I couldn't sleep. I guess I didn't adjust as well as I thought to the timezones. This is good though because the front desk never did give me the wake up call I was expecting at 4am, so it must have been the hand of providence that ensured I didn't sleep.
So I go downstairs to pay and found out that my card is declined. He tried a second time and the same thing happened again! Needless to say, I was freaking out. So I went to a bank machine, and it wouldn't let me take that amount out of my Visa card. So I took the money from my bank account and am going to have to get a hold of my parents to see if they can temporarily put $500 in my account...as this has caused great distress and no access to funds for me. God has and will provide. Weird thing is that to pay for my ticekt on the Gatwich Express, I tried my Visa and it worked! Very odd indeed. I will be making a call to my Visa company. I am not happy to say the least as I put almost all my funds on my Visa (easier to use, and cheaper). I pray that I WILL have access to them.
I have a feeling they may have put a security freeze on it for the large deposit I just made for the houses we are renting for the Eucharistic Congress.
Anyways, I get to the airport and see a MASSIVE line for baggage drop. Thankfully I got in in time, but am happy I didn't leave any later! I didn't expect that kind of line up!
So then it is through the security check. I have to give them my ticket and they take my picture for their database, I then have to put my bag through the normal x-ray thing, walk through the metal detector, get frisked, and then put my shoes through an x-ray machine! Needless to say, it makes flying rather....annoying and not worth doing.
So I got on the plane and promptly passed out. Finally, some sleep! I arrived at the Priory at about 12pm local time (3am PST). The schedule looks out of this world! Unfortunately it seems that Michale Novak is not here this year, I was looking forward to meeting him.
Tonight we start off with an opening lecture my George Weigel, followed by Mass and then dinnner at 7:30pm. I am thinking I might go hit a McDonald's or something as I haven't had anything to eat since Lunch yesterday.
So that has been my interesting day. I'm going to go get some food and take a nap!
God Bless!
Harrison
Sunday, July 01, 2007
The Last Day in London
Hi Everyone.
I was rather shocked to see what happened at Glascow Airport yesterday. Thankfully, for those who were worried, my flight leaves at 7:35am tomorrow (London time) and so that means that I will be leaving at a rather slow period of time, which means it is a less busy time and thus less likely for attacks. Their threat level is at its highest level right now, meaning other attacks are imminent. This doesn't mean that they're expecting more attacks today and so forth, but over the course of the next few months. I didn't think things would be so unstable here!!
I can see why it's such a cause for attack though. London is highly dense and populated, and add to that all the tourists who are here and, needless to say, it is a prime target. It also seems that it is rather easy to immigrate here. This all adds to easy ways to getting into the country to cause attacks.
Thankfully I am alright and there is police presence everywhere! This is good. Today is going to be a "sloth day" for me. I have much reading to do for Tertio Millennio. I have got to see most of what I have wanted to see and yesterday was, frankly, a rather expensive day. Needless to say, it'll be good for me to take some time off for the sake of my wallet! I have spent about £125 here, which equals about 275 Canadian. That's a lot of money and so am just going to ease up.
Yesterday was nice. After stopping here I went to the Tube. I have realized that, really, the parts of London that one wants to see is all walkable and that one does not need to buy a tube pass. I bought one yesterday and it was just to Westminster and back to Victoria station, something I could have probably walked myself. Anyways, lesson learned there.
I have also realized that all Europeans are crazy drivers. This was something I noticed last time I was in Europe and that has been confirmed here in London. Also, every person I have been served by at the restaurants here speak English as a second language. Shows how many immigrants are here!
I went to the Globe Theater tour yesterday which was great. We got to see most of the dress rehearsal for Love's Labour's Lost. It was incredible and very well done! I contemplated going to see the show today, but, decided against it because of how much I had spent yesterday. I also went to this Star Wars exhibit. It was REALLY expensive. It was that or the London Eye and I decided to go for the exhibit partially because the eye was not working yesterday. So, for the second time, I shan't have the chance to go on the Eye. The exhibit was good, though a bit lacking in some areas. I was expecting a bit more for what I paid for, but it supplied a couple of hours of entertainment. I did lots of walking yesterday which was just great. I also had a true British meal, Italian Pizza ;). It was great. It's a chain here called Pizza Express, but it's actually a very nice place! If anyone is ever here they should go there. It was nice to just walk around and see the sights and the touristy things around here.
Went to Mass this morning at Westminster Cathedral and it was beautiful as always. I then had lunch and am now here. Also, if you're looking for a cheap substitute for lunch, though not healthy, I recommend simply getting a portion of chips and a drink, it's quite filling and is the perfect lunch snack.
Yes, London is horribly expensive, but thanks be to God I am only here for 3 days!!! I now am going to head back to the hotel and relax for the day. It is quite nice to not have to be anywhere, to just sit back, and enjoy things!
I have to wake up bright and early tomorrow at 4am...yay (notice my lack of enthusiasm). It'll be a long day tomorrow so it will be good to rest up today as tomorrow the seminar begins with a nice fancy dinner and social time till the wee hours of the morning probably.
Hope you are all well and am thinking and praying for you all.
God bless!
-Harrison
I was rather shocked to see what happened at Glascow Airport yesterday. Thankfully, for those who were worried, my flight leaves at 7:35am tomorrow (London time) and so that means that I will be leaving at a rather slow period of time, which means it is a less busy time and thus less likely for attacks. Their threat level is at its highest level right now, meaning other attacks are imminent. This doesn't mean that they're expecting more attacks today and so forth, but over the course of the next few months. I didn't think things would be so unstable here!!
I can see why it's such a cause for attack though. London is highly dense and populated, and add to that all the tourists who are here and, needless to say, it is a prime target. It also seems that it is rather easy to immigrate here. This all adds to easy ways to getting into the country to cause attacks.
Thankfully I am alright and there is police presence everywhere! This is good. Today is going to be a "sloth day" for me. I have much reading to do for Tertio Millennio. I have got to see most of what I have wanted to see and yesterday was, frankly, a rather expensive day. Needless to say, it'll be good for me to take some time off for the sake of my wallet! I have spent about £125 here, which equals about 275 Canadian. That's a lot of money and so am just going to ease up.
Yesterday was nice. After stopping here I went to the Tube. I have realized that, really, the parts of London that one wants to see is all walkable and that one does not need to buy a tube pass. I bought one yesterday and it was just to Westminster and back to Victoria station, something I could have probably walked myself. Anyways, lesson learned there.
I have also realized that all Europeans are crazy drivers. This was something I noticed last time I was in Europe and that has been confirmed here in London. Also, every person I have been served by at the restaurants here speak English as a second language. Shows how many immigrants are here!
I went to the Globe Theater tour yesterday which was great. We got to see most of the dress rehearsal for Love's Labour's Lost. It was incredible and very well done! I contemplated going to see the show today, but, decided against it because of how much I had spent yesterday. I also went to this Star Wars exhibit. It was REALLY expensive. It was that or the London Eye and I decided to go for the exhibit partially because the eye was not working yesterday. So, for the second time, I shan't have the chance to go on the Eye. The exhibit was good, though a bit lacking in some areas. I was expecting a bit more for what I paid for, but it supplied a couple of hours of entertainment. I did lots of walking yesterday which was just great. I also had a true British meal, Italian Pizza ;). It was great. It's a chain here called Pizza Express, but it's actually a very nice place! If anyone is ever here they should go there. It was nice to just walk around and see the sights and the touristy things around here.
Went to Mass this morning at Westminster Cathedral and it was beautiful as always. I then had lunch and am now here. Also, if you're looking for a cheap substitute for lunch, though not healthy, I recommend simply getting a portion of chips and a drink, it's quite filling and is the perfect lunch snack.
Yes, London is horribly expensive, but thanks be to God I am only here for 3 days!!! I now am going to head back to the hotel and relax for the day. It is quite nice to not have to be anywhere, to just sit back, and enjoy things!
I have to wake up bright and early tomorrow at 4am...yay (notice my lack of enthusiasm). It'll be a long day tomorrow so it will be good to rest up today as tomorrow the seminar begins with a nice fancy dinner and social time till the wee hours of the morning probably.
Hope you are all well and am thinking and praying for you all.
God bless!
-Harrison
Saturday, June 30, 2007
London - Friday and Saturday morning
Ok, I don't know why it is, but every time I come to London (ok, so it's only been twice) there is a terror threat. The first time was the bombings and yesterday was two averted bombings. Weird weird weird...thanks be to God for the police who caught it!
Friday night was nice. I went to Mass just as it begun (I had NO clue what time it would start at!). After Mass I celebrated the Solemnity with a fancy meal at the high class restaurant known as "McDonald's". It was cheap, that's why I went there.
After that I just started walking and walking. I wanted to get to the eye. However, I begun by walking in the wrong direction and so by the time I got to the Eye of London, it was closed. I wanted to get on because it was a nice day last night and wanted on before the weather got bad. I'm going to go again in a minute here, the rain is holding up for the moment and the sun is trying to bust its way out.
I walked for about 5 hours last night, went to the hotel room and watched Law and Order and The Shield and just passed out. I have thankfully adjusted to the new time zone quite easily.
I woke up this morning, went for breakfast (it's free at the hotel) and then headed for the Cathedral again. I went there for morning prayer and Mass. It was the sung Mass and it was in Latin. It was alright, the priest kinda went through the prayers at lightning speed though. The all boys choir is BEAUTIFUL though!!! I bought a cd of theirs of hymns to Mary.
I then proceeded to the bookstore. There is not one, but TWO Catholic bookstores right next to the Cathedral. I did not spend very long in there because I knew it was dangerous territory for a guy like me. I bought books though...I bought 2 books by Edith Stein (they have the FULL set of her works in English at the Catholic Truth Society!!!!!) and Book One of the Summa Contra Gentiles (didn't have it and it was decently priced). I got a small booklet of the Mass in English and Latin for tomorrow because I will be going to Solemn Mass. At the Paulist Press store I found a book by Ratzinger on the Liturgy that I had never seen before. All these books I got I was unable to find in North America. 4 books and a little pamphlet for £44, which isn't too bad. But like I said, I got out of there FAST. Both stores, for example, had the COMPLETE WORKS of Hans Urs Von Balthasar. If I stayed, I would have walked out with too many books.
Now I'm off to do some touring. Today's events include a tour of the Globe Theater, the Eye of London, and a Star Wars Exhibit that looks really cool! I may go see a play, it depends on how tired I am. I have to put aside some time for studying too as I still have reading to finish for Tertio Millennio.
My hotel room is small, but nice, and it seems that I booked on "Hotel Row". There are hotels down the entirety of this street! It is nice though, it means it's safe.
That's all for now, more tomorrow perhaps, if not, I will update again once I'm in Krakow.
-Harrison
Friday night was nice. I went to Mass just as it begun (I had NO clue what time it would start at!). After Mass I celebrated the Solemnity with a fancy meal at the high class restaurant known as "McDonald's". It was cheap, that's why I went there.
After that I just started walking and walking. I wanted to get to the eye. However, I begun by walking in the wrong direction and so by the time I got to the Eye of London, it was closed. I wanted to get on because it was a nice day last night and wanted on before the weather got bad. I'm going to go again in a minute here, the rain is holding up for the moment and the sun is trying to bust its way out.
I walked for about 5 hours last night, went to the hotel room and watched Law and Order and The Shield and just passed out. I have thankfully adjusted to the new time zone quite easily.
I woke up this morning, went for breakfast (it's free at the hotel) and then headed for the Cathedral again. I went there for morning prayer and Mass. It was the sung Mass and it was in Latin. It was alright, the priest kinda went through the prayers at lightning speed though. The all boys choir is BEAUTIFUL though!!! I bought a cd of theirs of hymns to Mary.
I then proceeded to the bookstore. There is not one, but TWO Catholic bookstores right next to the Cathedral. I did not spend very long in there because I knew it was dangerous territory for a guy like me. I bought books though...I bought 2 books by Edith Stein (they have the FULL set of her works in English at the Catholic Truth Society!!!!!) and Book One of the Summa Contra Gentiles (didn't have it and it was decently priced). I got a small booklet of the Mass in English and Latin for tomorrow because I will be going to Solemn Mass. At the Paulist Press store I found a book by Ratzinger on the Liturgy that I had never seen before. All these books I got I was unable to find in North America. 4 books and a little pamphlet for £44, which isn't too bad. But like I said, I got out of there FAST. Both stores, for example, had the COMPLETE WORKS of Hans Urs Von Balthasar. If I stayed, I would have walked out with too many books.
Now I'm off to do some touring. Today's events include a tour of the Globe Theater, the Eye of London, and a Star Wars Exhibit that looks really cool! I may go see a play, it depends on how tired I am. I have to put aside some time for studying too as I still have reading to finish for Tertio Millennio.
My hotel room is small, but nice, and it seems that I booked on "Hotel Row". There are hotels down the entirety of this street! It is nice though, it means it's safe.
That's all for now, more tomorrow perhaps, if not, I will update again once I'm in Krakow.
-Harrison
Friday, June 29, 2007
London!
Hi Everyone!
I have just arrived in London. The flight was 9 and a half hours as opposed to nine because of the hold up at Heathrow. It is really amazing how they direct planes. After we landed I saw at least 6 planes queued (yes, I'm in London, so I have to use the word 'queue'). It is really quite a marvel. A bit freaky to see many planes in the air near you though. Air traffic controllers really do an amazing job!
The flight was uneventful. I got a good bit of sleep on it which made it nice and short, about 4 hours. I can thank the wine and beer for that I think. I watched one movie and that was all, Breach. It is about a FBI agent who was spying for the Russians against the US. He's Catholic. They actually portrayed the whole Catholic thing decently, you can tell he was struggling between being a good Catholic and his loyalty to his country. Not a great movie, but enjoyable. Thankfully there will be a MUCH better selection of movies on the return.
I also met up with my folks while I was in Vancouver which was nice. We visited for about 2 hours.
The weather here is cloudy, with breaks of sun, which is better then what the forecasters were giving which makes me happy. I am currently in an Internet Cafe in Heathrow Airport that is rather muggy.
I am looking forward to getting to my hotel, changing my clothes, and enjoying London. That nap on the plane should be sufficient to keep me up for the rest of the day. I figure if I walk a lot that it should wear me out by the end of the day.
My first order of business, once I'm settled, is to find out the Mass times at Westminster Cathedral. It is a Holy Day of Obligation today here in London for Sts Peter and Paul, so I am looking forward to good liturgy! :)
I think that's it for now. The plan tomorrow is a few things. I think I'm going to do those bus tours that take you all around the city. I am also going to go to Mass of course and see Spamalot, the Monty Python Musical. I am considering for Sunday to make a trip to Oxford or Cambridge...I have always wanted to see a Medieval University :)...I'm a rather big fan.
God bless and thinking of you all!
-Harrison
I have just arrived in London. The flight was 9 and a half hours as opposed to nine because of the hold up at Heathrow. It is really amazing how they direct planes. After we landed I saw at least 6 planes queued (yes, I'm in London, so I have to use the word 'queue'). It is really quite a marvel. A bit freaky to see many planes in the air near you though. Air traffic controllers really do an amazing job!
The flight was uneventful. I got a good bit of sleep on it which made it nice and short, about 4 hours. I can thank the wine and beer for that I think. I watched one movie and that was all, Breach. It is about a FBI agent who was spying for the Russians against the US. He's Catholic. They actually portrayed the whole Catholic thing decently, you can tell he was struggling between being a good Catholic and his loyalty to his country. Not a great movie, but enjoyable. Thankfully there will be a MUCH better selection of movies on the return.
I also met up with my folks while I was in Vancouver which was nice. We visited for about 2 hours.
The weather here is cloudy, with breaks of sun, which is better then what the forecasters were giving which makes me happy. I am currently in an Internet Cafe in Heathrow Airport that is rather muggy.
I am looking forward to getting to my hotel, changing my clothes, and enjoying London. That nap on the plane should be sufficient to keep me up for the rest of the day. I figure if I walk a lot that it should wear me out by the end of the day.
My first order of business, once I'm settled, is to find out the Mass times at Westminster Cathedral. It is a Holy Day of Obligation today here in London for Sts Peter and Paul, so I am looking forward to good liturgy! :)
I think that's it for now. The plan tomorrow is a few things. I think I'm going to do those bus tours that take you all around the city. I am also going to go to Mass of course and see Spamalot, the Monty Python Musical. I am considering for Sunday to make a trip to Oxford or Cambridge...I have always wanted to see a Medieval University :)...I'm a rather big fan.
God bless and thinking of you all!
-Harrison
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