Pope Francis is coming to town!! And this Catholic Mommy blogger went through a Secret Service background check and got approved for press credentials! I sort of feel like a big deal, either that or like someone made a huge mistake and I’m going to report to pick up my credentials and some dude in a dark suit with an ear piece is going to be like, “Wait, what? You’re a mommy blogger? No, I’m sorry, we only give press badges to real writers.”
1.MONDAY – I pick up my World Meeting of Families press credentials. I planned to make this quick because I still have to, ya know, make time to educate my kids and then get two of them to music lessons in the afternoon. BUT this Tuesday I got this email about a special exhibit I was invited to because I’m “credentialed press” and they’re giving me a free gluten-free lunch and I was like, music what??
2.TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY – I’m going to just be home doing my mom things because my husband has to work at his actual paying job so I can’t stay in a $350 a night hotel room with other media people taking daily showers with free toiletries in bedding that doesn’t smell like kitten pee.
3.THURSDAY – Get on your devices because I will be blowing up social media from the World Meeting! There is so much stuff going on, and I can get in anywhere and wave my media badge and demand interviews and generally act pompous. I might say I’m with CNN or Fox or Raymond Arroyo’s make-up team (dude always looks flawless) and see what happens. “Hey you in the red cap! Do you see this badge?? It means I get to ask you about Theology of the Body as much as I want!!”
I’ve already put Simcha on notice, and I can’t decide what other talks I might barge into. Who wants to see me demand a selfie with Scott Hahn?? “Hi, uh, I have this blog that your daughter-in-law reads and you talk good about Catholic stuff; can I take a picture with you?”
4.FRIDAY – If your own responsibilities mean you can’t follow me every minute of Thursday, don’t worry! I will recap the day, including how off point the youth events made me feel, during my Quick Takes!
5.SATURDAY – It’s my birthday! I will try not to think about how old 37 sounds, apply generous amount of anti-aging moisturizer with SPF 3,596 and head out bright and early.
I agreed to pay NJ Transit’s exorbitant fares (coughpricegougingcough) so I could get into the city around sunrise. I will pick up new press credentials, allow myself to be searched repeatedly (no selfie sticks?? say wha?) and then mingle with folks from all over the country at the Festival of Families. Who will I run into??? Be sure to follow and find out! Maybe I’ll meet lots of new friends, find fellow bloggers or discover where Mayor Nutter is hiding all the homeless people for the weekend.
There’s going to be celebrities and music and I’m going to have to bring my A-game to get anywhere near the stage and convince Jim Gaffigan to pose with me for a quick pic while Secret Service is tazing me. (Not to be confused with taize.)
The Pope will address the crowd Saturday evening and then, at some point, I’ll catch a train back to Jersey. …hopefully in time for Mass the next morning.
6.SUNDAY – Addie’s birthday! Yay; all eyes on Addie who is becoming a teenager! Lack of sleep means I’m barely feigning interest over that Justice! gift card and trying to muffle sobs over why we’re both getting so old.
7.MONDAY – It’s all over! Recap will be up on the blog. It’s sure to be life changing in that I’m buying Depends for the first time ever to avoid what could be a dire restroom situation…kidding….sort of.
Will I see you in Philadelphia? Look for me by the Rocky statue or follow along on:
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
PERISCOPE @kellymantoan
FACEBOOK
Now it’s your turn. Link up your takes below and be sure to include a link back to this post so your readers can find the rest of the Quick Takes! I look forward to reading your posts!
Wow! Wow! Wow! Kelly, that is awesome! VIP passes for the Pope visit?!? What could be better than that? I’m so happy for you and I hope you have a great time and I really think when you meet Pope Francis you should do some karaoke with him! 😉 Tell him I said “Hi” too! 🙂 Have a great trip! Can’t wait to hear all about it! Thanks for hosting 7 QT again! I’m grabbed spot #4 🙂
GUUUUURRRLLLLL so insanely awesome. Please photoshop me into all your fun pictures. I can’t wait to hear allll about it on social media. Consider me your stalker. For the week. And happy birthdays in your household!!
That trip sounds awesome! And don’t forget what Monty Python said – 37 is not old! 🙂
I can’t decide if I want the Fanny Pack or the nail art…
I am SO excited for you! I’ll be glued to my devices, virtually stalking you the whole time!!
AMAZING!!!!! And you better live the dream with that Franny pack. Never let anyone tell you different.
Bahaha, not to be confused with taize….
I’m so excited for you, I’m trying not to die of jealousy.
Wahoo! Kelly, that sounds pretty epic! Have a blast with that media badge! Oh, and good luck entering back into normal societal life after the Meeting…I honestly would be like, “Umm, no, I just want to chill in Philadelphia with the pope for like forever”!
So the Link-Up button doesn’t like me…I’ll just leave my link here then: http://marianninja.blogspot.com/2015/09/cool-for-summer-scolding-sister.html
I will be jealously following along and hoping you are wearing a combination of all the Pope items above.