On the Other Side

Tonight, as I was thinking, I realized how different my life is from last year at this time and in so many ways. I know that seems like a "duh" statement, but I am talking "different" in more ways than geography. I am no longer working with individuals who are financially poor. My department at work decided to sponsor a child from Chinatown this Christmas. We bought items to give this girl as presents. I was so happy to participate in this. Picking out items to give to Jenny was so much fun. In my last job the families that I worked with were sponsored every Christmas and I had the joy of delivering the gifts to the families. From my experience, sponsor programs are meaningful and bring so much joy to the individuals. While I do not want to demean sponsor programs in any way, I was convicted in my own heart that this isn't enough.

I was thinking back to last year and the fact that my interactions with needy (needy in the physical sense) didn't come only once a year. At points my daily interaction with my clients drove me to feeling calloused and numb. I know that response was wrong, but I also know that giving one child Christmas, a child whom I will never even see or meet also feels inadequate. I am not working in the human service field right at the moment, and reaching out to needy people will take more work...but I don't think that means I am off the hook in any way. This is just a thought that has been floating around in my mind. I am hopeful that it will lead me to loving the less fortunate around me on a consistent basis.

I'm so full.

Here we are, back in Chicago. We had a great weekend with both of our families. Lots of time with all of our nephews and niece. It was a blast, but definitely good birth control... if you know what I mean. This may be the first time that our tiny dorm room/apartment has seemed quiet.

Though our stomachs are distending, the self-inflicted proof of another year of celebratory gluttony, Abe and I pressed on in holiday fashion. Tonight we set up our meager tree. This place still doesn't feel totally like home, but throw up a fake fir and you are one step closer.

In no particular order.

Family.
Lucy.
Squirrel-friend.
Nephews.
Niece.
Turkey.
Beef stroganoff.
Stuffing.
Mashed potatoes.
Pumpkin pie.
Coffee.
Laughter.
Killer Bunnies.
Rope Swing.
Brandon the wedding singer.
Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Savage.
Tony & Katie.
1 Christmas down.
Undershirts and coasters.
New shoes.
Sleeping in.
Early mornings.

... more to come, I'm sure, the weekend is not over. We'll see you back here on Monday.

I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

You be the judge.

Brandon and I are at an impasse. We cannot seem to come to an agreement on his new facial hair. So, we decided to take a vote. Please weigh in on whether or not the mustache, yes that is a mustache, should stay. I am sure you can guess which way I am leaning.

Pumpkin Pie Attempt #1

This is a picture of my first attempt making pumpkin pie. Brandon and I were grocery shopping yesterday and I walked past a display of all the necessary items for a complete Thanksgiving dinner. As I walked by I had a craving for pumpkin pie and did not want to wait until Thursday. I decided to make one myself. Who knew that you had to bake pumpkin pie for an hour, and then let it cool for two?! So much for immediate gratification. The end result was a very sub-par pie. It was burned around the edge and mushy in the middle. I now know after discussing this with a friend that there are ways to prevent this.

In other news, I have one more day of work before we leave town. I am very excited for family time, good food, and to see my little dog Lucy!

Muffinssssss! (Actually my wife told me they were...Cupcakesssss!)

Can you guess how boring my life has become? This is what I did today, how about all you other men out there? What?!? I'm confident enough in my manhood to admit this...I think.

The city of wind will put hair on your chest.

Many of you who know me, know that I am sometimes referred to as "the Great Hairless Wonder." I am called this, for those who are too cretinous to infer, for my general lack of body hair. Today I was flexing, shirtless, in front of the mirror (as I am wont to do from time to time), and behold! My gaze fell upon a small group of infinitesimal hairs burgeoning forth from and around a mole. Now, I recognize that mole-hairs should not count as genuine body hair, but there was one, solitary hair germinating, not from a mole, but from my bare chest. I have a chest hair! I did take a picture, but to capture the microscopic scene I had to use the macro setting on my camera. A macro picture of a mole and surrounding hairs, I assume, would be much to revolting for a respectable blog.

Busy Weekend!

I had a really fun, busy weekend. Friday I took my 11 RA's on a retreat. The idea was to get away from the city and relax. We headed to a hotel in Naperville, IL. It was a really fun night of eating, laughing, playing games, and watching movies. It was so nice to have down-time with some of my favorite ladies.

Saturday night I had the joy of hanging out with my dear friend Sarah. It was so much fun to have Sarah in Chicago, show her my apartment, eat good food, and talk. There is something so refreshing about a good friend. I was so encouraged by her and only wish we had more time together! The one sour note of the whole weekend was that it took me 45 minutes to pick her up at Union Station. That is absolutely ridiculous as Union Station is 1 mile from us. I was completely lost! I think that is proof that I need to take Brandon's advice and study a map!


*abbey