One last thing

I thought that this week was going to be a breeze without running around all day long, but I still have one paper hanging over my head before I leave Thursday morning and stuff to do everyday. I have to go down to Irvine tomorrow to pick up my paycheck which is crappy bc I already drove there twice this weekend! I have a rehearsal for my flute quartet tomorrow afternoon which will be fun, though! It is not good that I am tired of driving here bc we are driving to Baton Rouge and Alabama when we fly in to Houston. I think it is mostly the crazy drivers and shoppers that are hard to deal with here. Everyone is even more rude and selfish during this time of year. I am trying not to fit the stereotype of everyone out here! Well, almost done, and the I will be flying to Tejas! Can't wait!

I also don't think Jared and I are going to be able to fit all of our stuff in 3 suitcases. We might have to bring 4....yikes! Too many gifts to bring home!

1 week from Thursday

I am so excited to be leaving town 1 week from Thursday! Jared has not been to Houston in a year and I haven't been back since March. We are going to my brother's graduation in Baton Rouge and then are going to spend some time with my grandparents in Mobile. I haven't seen my Meme and Poppy since our wedding and I am so proud of Andrew for graduating from LSU! We are going to have a long drive home from Alabama, though! We can't wait to see family and friends when we get back!

I am almost done with school stuff....Teaching in Irvine, Masterclass, and a rehearsal with the percussionist I am playing with on his recital Wednesday, Jury, last Theory class Thursday, and I am playing on an oboe jury Friday. My last accomplishment will be a paper for my theory class due before I leave town on the 18th. I auditioned for the concerto competition last night and didn't win...bc wind players never have a chance against pianists and violinists....two winners from each of those categories again...oh well....but I had fun performing my piece! :)

So exhausted

I am wondering why the world works by way of deadlines, due dates, pushing to utter exhaustion, and activities that all wrap up at the same time. This is one of those times for me and everyone else in the world (the end of the semester, year, and the holidays). People are forced to loose sleep and become hermits, working till they can't work anymore, or until they finish what they started. So the question I keep asking myself...Why do we do it? I feel most people don't have a choice unless they want to loose their jobs or fail out of school...I mean there are things we can choose not to do (tons of parties, activities that aren't required to make a living or pass school), but what about the stuff that we can't control. It is always hard for me to accept that God has His best for me, and Jared, during these exhausting times. I don't want the following to sound like I am trying to get a sympathy vote, but Jared has a deadline coming up and has worked till 12 every night this week. I have had tons of schoolwork and practicing to do so we have been staying up late to see each other for an hour or two until 1:30/2:00 in the morning. It is hard because the only thing we both want to do is spend time together, but sometimes the best thing for us would be to get sleep so we can function the next day at work/school. I hate feeling like we have to "push" through these times. Don't really have a conclusion to this post....just want you to know you are not alone if you feel this way about life. I guess if everyone revolted against this American way of life we could change it, but not likely to happen in my lifetime! In the meantime, I will continue to function with my philosophy that these times are growing me into a person that looks more like Jesus. That means I will have to reflect on my journey through this craziness later! Someone remind me! :)

No way!

That's right kids....I know you are wondering what I am so happy about!

I paid $26 for a FULL tank of gas today! Looks like that gas column in the budget is going to look a lot smaller! This is so bizarre considering I almost paid $75 for a tank this summer? Who knows! But I love it!

On another note, I am so excited it is December! I have so much work to get done before I can officially celebrate Christmas time, but I am trying to get in the spirit by drinking some hot chocolate and buying some gifts! :)

Have a lovely night!