Aaaachoo

Sick...again. Big surprise. Maybe it is time for me to let go of the whole, "I can't drink out of your straw," or "of course I rip off the first several squares of toilet paper in a public bathroom and throw it away." Maybe I need way more exposure to build up this sad, weak, pathetic immune system I have.

But then again, that'd be gross. I think I might prefer my chronic colds to having someone drink out of my milk glass {bleh}.

I have a feeling this book will be on my children's bookshelf.

That's all, thanks

After receiving 6 notices on our door THIS month about rent, renewing, blah blah blah I decided to be proactive about the matter.

Charity

Today our lesson was on Charity, but I decided towards the end of class to give this particular lesson some alternative titles:

Chapter 30: Charity

or

How To Avoid Your Everyday Homeless Encounters

or

That One Homeless Guy: Genuine or Boozer?

I just really like this

(its not actually the video, just the song)

While the cats away the mouse will....

1. Go to bed at 8:30pm.

2. Go solo-sampling at Central market (Chocolate-fest for V-day, delicious).

3. Purchase a huge hunk of Cinnamon Cranberry Goat cheese, sourdough bread, and make gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches.

4. Mosey on down to the temple (maybe get lost on the way, but its okay because the mouse's schedule is pretty flexible).

5. Go shopping (mostly complain that everything is so expensive) and eat sushi (and passion fruit creme brulee) with girlfriends.

6. Watch a few BBC films that may have otherwise been interrupted by a, "Seriously, this is unbearable" (to which I say, "on the contrary, not only is it bearable, its the best. Ever.")

7. Make it to the gym 3 out of 3 days, spend a little extra time on cardio to compensate for the goat cheese.

8. Sleep completely diagonal, because I can.

9. And on the last day, anxiously await the return of the cat*




*Haha, get it, mom, the "cat." Haha.

Would you like some crazy with that?

Single ladies and gentlejerks, the days of crappy door prizes, raffles, and kazoos are OVER. There is a Valentine's mix and mingle hosted by a local radio station in Austin this Saturday. Not only can you get wasted, meet up with randoms, and eat some strawberries...you could win a FREE divorce (for those of you pretending to be single but "still haven't quite gotten through with the big D"). I'm. Not. Even. Kidding! This party is raffling off a free divorce from one of the local law firms in Austin. Hahahaha. I can't even stand it.

On a different (but not necessarily lighter) note, my peers and I got to take a tour of the children's wing of the psychiatric hospital. This was our greeting:

Small boy: (walks up to my friend Shannon) HEY guys! Guess what?
Shannon: What?! (enthusiastically with a smile)
Small boy: I worship the DEVIL!
Shannon: ....uh oh

For Jay

In lieu of not knowing how to begin this post, I think I'll just launch in.

Yesterday was Jay Reed's birthday. Jay was my brother's best friend growing up, and subsequently a part of my family. He passed away two years ago.

As we grow up there are people who just seem to always be around, before we understand where they fit into the equation and into our lives. When I was little, I think I actually figured Jay was some part of our extended family, and it stayed that way even as I grew older. I was surprised to find that knowing that he wasn't actually blood-related didn't change anything. Jay suffered from some physical hardships, but you'd never know just by talking to him. His outlook on life was, to say the least, incredible.

When Jay passed away I had a really awesome experience and I thought I'd just share in memory of him. One night I was sitting at home and I was all by myself. I got this impression that maybe I should go somewhere. Before thinking twice, I headed over to my best friend, Ferry's apartment. We were sitting on her floor and she was working on some stuff for church. At the time she was the ward chorister and asked what song we should sing to close our meeting. Immediately I said, Nearer Thy God To Thee. I have always enjoyed that hymn but felt really strongly about it. A few minutes later my mom called, and told me the news. I fell to the ground and cried to my friend. I knew that God was looking out for me, and made sure I was in good hands during a time like that.

That Sunday in church as we wrapped up our meeting we sang, Nearer My God To Thee. Then we got to the verse, "There let thy way appear, steps unto heaven; all thou sendest me, in mercy given; Angels to beckon me Nearer my God, to thee, Nearer my God, to thee, Nearer to thee." I knew that Jay was beckoned by angels, and I knew that he was standing tall and proud in Heaven, and so, so happy. Its hard to lose someone before you're ready, but he was ready and I know that one day he'll be waiting for his family and his friends on the other side. I love you, Jay.

Seriously, Texas?

How come my whole family is enjoying long, lazy, snowed-in days and all we get in Texas is crappy hail...HAIL!?

What about sun? What about the palm trees?!

Food for thought

Rob and I went to see The Screwtape Letters at the Paramount this past weekend. Man! It was so awesome. If you have never read the book (by C.S. Lewis) or if its been awhile, I would recommend it. Very funny, and very thought-provoking.

Did you know he dedicated the book to J.R.R. Tolkien? C.S. Lewis is so awesome.

Not bad

Today a patient told me I looked like a Barbie. I've been called worse.

**Not the same patient that accused me of having "false eyelashes."

Also, my Jack Bauer patient told me, "he knew wisdom between the lines" and that he could "teach me a thing or two." He then proceeded to cut an apple in half, squeeze it as hard as he could and then yell, "APPLE JUICE, APPLE JUICE!"

House On Haunted Hill?

I'm not going to lie, rolling up to this place at 6am in the morning when its still dark outside...not my favorite. I mean really? When they were building it did they think, "Let's try to make this as stereotypical as possible. We'll delve into the deepest fears of what everyone expects an asylum to look like, and we'll recreate it! Oh and we'll also build a tunnel that goes around the whole campus that has no exit to the outside, oh and while we're at it, lets line the tunnel with solitary confinement dorms with tiny little circular windows to peer through while the patients bat around on their mattress. Yes, lets do. Voila!"

Its not even safe for bananas around here