I actually wrote this a few days ago, but haven’t had the time to post it. I don’t think it’s done, but who knows when I’ll get around to finishing it.

—-

First off, apologies go off to all of you who have been wondering what’s been going on with me over the last few weeks. I know, I tease you with a few daily entries and then disappear for weeks. So, here’s a small update on things that have been going on with me.

The new apartment is just about finished. It’s to the point where it actually looks like a place where someone can live in, without random stuff on the floors and boxes strewn everywhere. It’s really painfully obvious to me that I need to acquire more furniture, as my living room is devout of anything in its center. I figure that a few more pieces of furniture and everything should be set. A coffee table, an end table and a nice, recliner would do nicely.

I am currently now sitting on a 737 on my way into New York for the holidays. I am extremely excited to be seeing my family again and to see my friends whom I have not seen in months. Plus, coming back to New York was especially important this year, after the tragedies that have befallen the city over the last few months. I guess the attacks hit particularly close to home, and I do have plans to see the ruins downtown. Looking out my window I can only guess that I am currently somewhere over Pennsylvania, as we had passed Chicago a while ago. I should be landing in about 20 minutes or so.

The holiday season has always been special to me. It’s a time where people can reflect upon their lives, assess their experiences and relationships over the past year and gear up for the upcoming year. Yes, I am aware that the beginning of a new year is something completely arbitrary, but there needs to be a marker.

As I started earlier, I am particularly excited to be seeing my family this holiday. My parents are doing well, and my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. are good too. One person will probably be missing from our celebration though. My aunt was recently shipped out last Monday to fulfill her roles as an Air Force Major reservist. She’s an R.N. who was sent to Texas. Where she’s going after that, I do not know. But she was told to make preparations for the next year, so I have a sinking feeling she will be over in the Middle East, attending to our soldiers. I pray for her safety and God Speed to her.