Update

So it's been a while since my last blog. I believe the last post had concerns about Thanksgiving and Dad's wedding...

Chronologically, Dad's wedding went very well. I'm very happy for him and Diane. Things are changing and it's difficult to deal with although I don't like to admit it. Only in the last few years (2 or 3) have I begun to realize how important family is. I don't know why I didn't realize this before but let's just say better late than never. I am related to some pretty amazing people. I think it's a real testament to our love for each other that my Mom's family was there in full force to support my dad in his new marriage. I was particularly glad that Annemarie, Tim and Emily were there. While Annemarie and I haven't been entirely comfortable with this whole idea, it was nice to have some solidarity within ourselves and to have Tim and Emily there to support us. I think we're both very grateful for each of you :-)

Thanksgiving was different, but not like it's been different since Mom died. It seemed like this was the beginning of the new ritual. I went to the Parade with Annemarie, Haley, Uncle Mike, Jean Marie, Bernadette, and Joe. I love parades. I think there is a special place in my heart for marching bands! Annemarie was frustrated with me when I couldn't figure out the train system to get to the parade but hopefully she didn't mind when I drove to NJ so we could take the train together. I had to be in NJ later anyway. After the parade I went to Dad's house and hung out with him and Diane, watching the parade I had just seen live, on tv and checking out the Black Friday adds. Diane's Mom and Cousins came over later and we had dinner. It was very good. I love thanksgiving food. It goes with the whole, being chubby, thing. After dinner I went to Uncle Fran's house for a while and then slept at Dad's house for the night. Over all a good thanksgiving.

I'm getting excited for my trip to Santa Barbara in January, they've taken care of my plane ticket and now I just need to prepare by reading, reading, reading.

It's nice to have something to look forward to while the semester winds down. Sometimes I feel like the classes I'm enrolled in here currently are not really helping to prepare me for ministry and my career goals. While I'm sure that the history of Christianity is useful and interesting to some, it has not been something that I've found to be entirely helpful. It's no fault of the professors because they're all very knowledgeable but I don't feel like I've learned a whole lot that I couldn't get from a decent text book. Hope is in the future and next semester looks promising as long as things work out the way I have them planned.

Tonight, Emily and I are having dinner with Roll, Andy and Alyssa. I'm looking forward to getting out of this place for the night.

This class is almost over so I'll post more when I have something to talk about. In the meantime, check out what Mike Huckabee has to say. While he's a republican, he seems to be making sense.

Peace!