home sweet home

So I am back in NJ for the holidays. The week before Christmas as always was spent sleeping and doing work and spending time with my family. I have to say, it's always bitter sweet coming home, especially since my nephew John was born. He is walking now, and is so adorable. I wish I was around more to experience everything and not see the big changes. Anyway, Christmas brought the tradition of going out to see tacky Christmas lights. My sisters and I have our usual circuit of house.

However, since Christmas I've caught up with a bunch of friends. Some the usual people I see when I come home, and a few people I haven't seen in ages. All of them, I've been super happy and excited to see. Also super exciting is my night with Keely and Sharon! Sharon and I were talking about everything we have to do in the next two years (we both graduate at the same time, her from med school, me from grad school). We made two very important (and yet very tentative) plans. This summer she is moving up to Anchorage, Alaska for a clinical. I am either going to help her drive up there and then fly back to Waco or help her drive home. I am really excited about the possibility of this road trip! Also, we decided we both want to move to Maine after school, and think we may move up there together and get a place! I feel like I've been trying to figure out my next move after school. There are so many places I want to move, and I know I don't want to stay in TX. I was just kinda hoping someone would give me a good excuse to pick one, and I got it! Super excited about Maine with Sharon!

My Grandpa (Charlie) and my dog (Charlie).

One of the houses on the Christmas light tour.

My favorite house on the tour.

Me and my friend Kevin.

Me and Sharon

Me and Keely

for C.N.

for C.N.

your hands are my favorite things

strong

soft

sturdy

you wear your life in your hands

from your first game at the polo grounds

"you always root for the home team"

to the war

we drove over the Sahara at night, chasing Rommel through Africa"

the GI Italian

to the years of lifting trash

you have the most humble hands

that fix chairs

and never lost their way on a steering wheel

you raised me with those hands

when sundays were about fried shredded wheat

and baseball games

lenny dykstra, mike piazza, and the retirees bus to philly

baseball hat in my hand

excited for a day with you

and now that you are sick

now that your hands are worn with age

pale skin and bones

and your body is failing you

oxygen mask and daily nurse visits

i want to take you in my hands

hard

calloused

sad

and hold you

titleless

So I am back on the writing wagon, at least for now. This is my newest, not really finished but thought I would share

i believed in the million words

sweat nothings in your ear

why paint a picture

when you could draw one in your mind

detailed descriptions from the heart

cause

i could be bent like a willow

by kind words and gentle deeds

placing your hand on my back

and telling me how nice i looked

i was open to more

heart lay bear to the dream

the fairytale

i was nimble like a weeping cherry

by the prospect

the idea

of my one love

great feelings for the all american dream

i lost myself in you

and the happiness of gray

not you or me but us

a blend of shades

now i am reborn

spring awaking

under my own strength

cause all these years

i fed myself

found nutrients in my surroundings

pruned and cared and loved

all the parts of me

gnarled and smooth

roots

bark

trunk

crown

leaves

and while you are gone

i have the most beautiful pink flowers

in bloom

the boy and his dog

So I have been seeing this guy for the past couple months. He was a surprise, wasn't at all expecting to meet anyone this cool in Waco, at Baylor. Anyway, yesterday he came over and kept me company as I did work and he did work. He has this dog, Maverick, and I am seriously in love with him. He has these big ears that stick straight up, and he is a puppy with personality for days!

We watched moves, and football, and just did nothing. It was awesome. I often think of how easy it is to date someone when you are doing fun/crazy things like go to the zoo. But it is much harder to have a great relationship when you are doing nothing. Last night was perfect and so much of what I needed. There was lots of laughter and talking and silence in all the right times. I am so happy to go into this week cause of yesterday. I wish I could have more days like that.

L