Pittsburgh so far :D

I feel a lot better since my last post and I had a revaluation of sorts when talking to Caroline the other day....I sound super depressed a lot of the times when I write these blogs, but what's ironic is I am one of the happiest people I know lol. I guess this is something I use to get things off my chest, unedited and unfiltered. I just say it how it is and if someone doesn't like it then they don't have to read it.

Any who I am still in Pittsburgh and since my last post I go to see my Great Great Aunt who is 98, not 99 like I thought I got my years mixed up. You see every time I have asked Aunt Paulie when she was born she gives me different years....on purpose. She doesn't really want people to know how old she really is, which is kind of funny to me, but hey she is just a such a goof so funny and full of life. It's weird seeing her in a nursing home now though, because it has definitely changed her. Her house is like a museum with original Tiffany lamps to original Humels (German figurines) She has so many portraits and gorgeous china I loved walking through her house and she loves showing everything. She every has a grandfather clock that is so big they had to cut the ceiling to make it fit :p. She can't walk any more so she stays in her wheel chair. She has changed a lot since i last saw her, but she still has that sparkle in her eye and even when she is confused she is quick witted. Last night was not one of her better nights though her thought process came and went, but at 98 with everything she remembers and knows I would get confused right now let a lone at her age. After visiting her we went back to Grandpa's house and Gary has now met 4 out of 8 grandparents even if only electronically. My Grandma Estelle was amazed at us video chatting and my Grandpa John thought it was pretty neat and had me explain everything to him. They aren't like my Gangee and Grandaddy who couldn't turn on a computer and type their name if you asked them. They want to learn and figure out how to use the technology available to them especially my Grandpa John.

Every time I visit I learn something new about my Grandpa like just yesterday he told me he played the saxophone and still had his but hadn't played it in years. I told him if he didn't want it and it was still playable I would definitely use it. He said he wasn't sure, because it was really old, but sure enough he pulled it out and played a little on it, but one key doesn't close all the way and I am sure it needs new pads, but I will take it back to Mason with me and get it looked at before school starts :).

Today I went to Mass with my grandparents and it was nice to pray and sing hymns and hear some of the scripture I had heard since I was a child but Catholicism is not my favorite branch of Christianity for a lot of reasons. From a historical stand point and from a beliefs one. I've talked to Gary about this but I'll say it here too. I feel Catholicism is all about don't and can't. Don't do this its a sin or you can't do that or you won't go to heaven. You have 7 sacraments you have to do or else kind of thing. I feel it's all about how evil humanity is and how humans can't do anything right everything we do is a sin (if this is true then how are we God's vision? God made us why would he make us evil and complete sinners?) and I also don't agree with confession for example my Grandpa did not take communion this Sunday and I asked why he said " I missed a holy day and I missed two Sundays, so I have to go to confession first" I said " You were sick though Grandpa. God knows you weren't well you shouldn't have to confess that in order to take communion." He said " I'll feel better if I do." I just let it go, but I wanted to say you shouldn't feel guilty over something you had no control over, and why oh why do you need a priest to talk to God for you? You are fully capable human being with your own voice, so if you have sinned or feel you have tell God yourself. Don't tell a priest who is human and no matter what anyone claims will judge you in some manner for whatever it is you have or haven't done. Then something else that bothered me was my Grandma wouldn't let my mom take communion with her. Communion is communion no matter what branch of Christianity it is, so it shouldn't matter. My Grandma went on about the things you had to do to become Catholic first and I just kept my mouth shut. She is very devout and I have found it is best to just not saying anything, smile and agree to save yourself and her the trouble. I love her don't get me wrong, but I get very frustrated when I know I can't voice my opinion, because if you know me at all I will debate with you until I am blue in the face, lol that might be a flaw of mine, but hey no one is perfect.
Today was football day in this house, even though I knew I wouldn't be able to watch my beloved Redskins play I wore my Washington shirt (given to me by Gary on my birthday) and my Clinton Portis jersey (given to me by santa for christmas :D ) I watched the Steelers crush the Browns (No surprise) and the Eagles cream the Cowboys ( hahahaha! [oops sorry couldn't help myself] :P ). I am glad to be here visiting family but I am not going to lie I miss home and I miss Mason....well not really Mason but those that are there. I miss my cheerleading squad, I miss Kitty, and Brittany. I miss my sisters, and my dog Fern and my cat Kisa. I miss Caroline and I miss Gary. I'll be back at Mason before I know it spending nights in my dorm alone wanting to be back here or at home, so what can I say? I should just be happy I am here while I am here lol.
Tomorrow I will get to see my cousins for the first time since I met them two years ago. I am excited to see Olivia, Chris and Paulia-Jean again :) I will talk about that next time I guess, off I go to read some I suppose or find something to do cause everyone is asleep except me lol.