the end of R&R

I dont do a damn thing when I come to Mama and Papa's house. Ive been here since Friday evening. I left the house today for the first time. It's incredible to have a haven like such to come to and not have any worries in the world.

Ive always enjoyed looking at all the photos around the house. My mom has two older siblings, Jeff and Marilyn. The frames are hung with a certain arrangement. One wall in the guest bedroom is full of Calhouns, another of Busches. Pics from like when my mom and aunt are in college, to the progression of our families growing up. It's just neat.

Above Mama's main set of chest-of-drawers are four frames in a diamond shape. Her kids at the top, MH and I to the left, Jim and David to the right, and Matthew and Zach at the bottom...kids then grandkids. Just plain neat.

Anyways, I suppose it's hard to imagine to some extent. But, may I suggest next time you visit relatives - pay close attention to the frames around the house.

These past few days have been good, but I am definately ready to get back to the AU and on to Pensacola.

Cheers to '09!

sshhhhhh.....

I like quiet holidays. This year was no exception. Thanksgiving day was very quiet. Christmas day was much of the same. Dad woke MH and I up at 10 or so, we opened presents, had brunch, chilled, then his parents came over. Simple enough. After a lunch conversation full of blah blah blah we were able to relax the rest of the afternoon.

Most of you who know me know that I am not an overly quiet person. However, I do keep my mouth shut at times. In fact, I think I prefer to. I only talk when no conversation is present. I think I spoke the most at the lunch table on 12/25 when the Yankees off season transactions were brought up.

Anyways, quietness is continuing up here at Mama and Papa's crib. I got in Friday evening. Since then, I have read a good bit of "The World is Flat" and watched 9 episodes of Boston Legal. Season 3 of BL should be in my mailbox when I return from New Years in p-cola. BTW, P-cola, visitors welcome..if Evans is down with you!

shopping

i know everyone has heard of black friday. every year we hear what crazy shoppers do to each other while gunning for fifty bucks off a flat screen. yea, i know the news reports the worse of the worse, but this year seems different - at least in opelika. shoppers dont seem to be as insane as they have been before.

i work out in a shopping center, and the people are calmer this year compared to last year. what's going on? is it b/c they are more broke? i'm working the last two shopping days...still time to change my opinion.

yesterday, i went to the mall in town. yea, it was moderately crowded, the line at american eagle was long, but people were calm! what's going on?

anyways...i'm done with my shopping.

Merry Christmas

life in a nutshell

Now that school is out for 3 weeks or so. this is what i'll be up to

--Home for Christmas (Eve too)
--Mama and Papa's 26-30
--Pensacola, 31-2

I like the line up. Not too much time around Auburn to get bored.

The ideas of "Dexter's Code" and "New Year Resolutions" are on my mind these days.

cruise control

i had a teacher in highschool tell me that finals week should be the best week of the year. does that make sense? it didnt to me at first. until a few semesters ago when i realized that it is the best week if you know you are in good shape at the end. you bust ass all semester and everything seems less stressful come finals time.

chaining things up from last post...i told my mom at thanksgiving dinner that i wanted a new pair of Js for christmas. you know, jordans...shoes. i dont think she thought i was serious. but i am, i want the "jordan jeter clutches". the ones that are mostly white with blue. check them out!

http://www.footlocker.com/catalog/productdetail/model_nbr--93049/sku--18594101/cm--GLOBAL%20SEARCH%3A%20KEYWORD%20SEARCH/

breaks

Thanksgiving break is here, well after i take a test at 1pm central. But is it really a break? Not really, it's just a week when class is not in session. I love how certain teachers like you to write papers and read books over break.

But actually, the book I have to read is "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman. I had this on my list to read prior to taking international economics. I guess this is business meets pleasure. Writing philosophy papers is a pain. No pleasure there.

On to think about Christmas break. No school work to do then. Auburn empties, leaving only the semi-locals like myself to casually stroll around town with the locals. It's better than summer in Auburn.

Now if only I could determine what to tell my mom what i want for Christmas...

celebration

anyone watch the election returns long enough to see a ton of cool scenes from all over? i think my favorite crowd -- picking grant park would be cheesy -- was the one gathered in front of the white house. the remote reporter said no one was being rowdy, just a jubilous crowd rejoicing. i can't recall what network we were on at the time, but the pundit said something to the effect "if you have been to washington and stood at the fence to see the white house, this is where they are." i havent been to washington in eleven years, but was taken back instantly with that comment. to be taken back to such a fond memory was neat.

i'm off to get as many newspapers as possible today. i know i can get oa news, ledger, gump ad, bham news, usa today and nyt.

side note, can we move elections to friday or saturday so it's more suitable for parties. last night made me wish i lived in a high energy place like dc, or nyc, or chicago, to join in celebration...but not go to work the next day!