Lots and lots of things have been happening here in the Lou of late...First off, we had our very first St. Louis Thanksgiving. Now, I have been a little down (Peter might say inconsolable) about not being able to go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. However, in the midst of my dismay, loving friends and family have come to the rescue. My parents came up and spent Thanksgiving with us, and, if I may say so myself, we cooked quite a feast in our little apartment. We spent our time laughing at
Everybody Loves Raymond, debating about the movie
Lincoln, and gorging ourselves on turkey and pie...it was a holiday well spent. And, in just a few weeks, some dear friends are coming up to spend Christmas week with us. Who knew one little guest room could bring so many gifts...we love it. Keep it comin'.
In other news, this past weekend Peter took me on a Christmas surprise trip to Chicago. We stayed at Moody, spent time with sweet friends, walked and walked around the city, and spent Saturday night listening to the Moody concert Choir present their
Candlelight Carols service. It was an incredible Christmas present--not sure how he is going to top that one next year. During our time in Chicago, we also ran across the Santa Speedo Race for Diabetes (see what I did there--
ran across), and in case you are asking yourself if this is "real or not real," here is a little photo evidence. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a...speedo...
So, I have been in my new job for two months now, and I can finally say that I am feeling pretty comfortable and confident. I am actually doing my job now, not just reading about it, which is helpful in the whole feeling comfortable and confident thing. Another help in this process is my friend Amber. Amber's husband is also in the MDIV program at Covenant, and we carpool to work everyday...and share lunches...and IM (remember IM'ing circa 2001) all day long. We have a bit of separation anxiety when we are away from one another too long. Amber is someone who I can be my wild and ridiculous self with--which is so great in the midst of transitioning into this new and mysterious place. A curious thing about making new friends is that all of your tried and true stories have a new life...and a new audience. I have found myself in conversation with Amber and suddenly saying, "So...one time..." and launching into whatever ridiculous story that has popped into this brain of mine. Amber, thankfully, finds my stories amusing--and we all know I love an audience...so, here are a few stories that have come up recently...
So...one time I passed out while playing the handbells. I was 9 or 10 and have always had a tendency to pass out within a week of having a high fever. We were in the middle of the Carol of the Bells when down I went. Thankfully, as my handbell choir director pointed out, I had the presence of mind to put down my bells before I plummeted to the floor.
So...one time, I, along with a little help from some other 7th grade rebels, convinced our middle school choir to sing "the police shot my dog" rather than "Feliz Navidad" in the Christmas concert. It was the only time I was ever sent to detention.
So...one time, I was dumped two years in a row on December 30th...two years in a row! Seriously! Two years later, I got engaged on December 30th--redemption.
until next time...Feliz Navidad,
J
