limbo days in between Christmas and New Year’s
This day has seen me experience a gentle up and down of emotions quite unlike anything that’s happened in previous Christmases. I couldn’t get to sleep last night because I felt like a complete heel for not having enough money to get anybody anything this Christmas. Turns out more than one of us was in that predicament, though, so there was a flurry of “coupon” exchanging this morning before the presents were officially attacked. There’s was a definite shift away from material gifts to service-related stuff; whether this is good or bad only time will tell. I made cards for my mom and dad as well; I hope they went over well. I really wish I had money.
The gifts I received, however, went far above my expectations, having only asked for a car cover for my red paperweight. Along with a fistful of candy, I got the complete works of e.e.cummings, a turtleneck and some khakis (though I must say the ones Mrs. Gubitz got for me are much nicer), a few more books, Rubber Soul by the Beatles, and a box set of Simon and Garfunkel music. And a very weird-looking stuffed dog.
I’ve been downing those negative chocolate chip cookies (negative because the dough is chocolate and the chips are white) like there’s no tomorrow all weekend. I really should run in a little bit before it gets too cold.
I was listening to NPR for some reason while putting the spare engine in my garage into the stand I received for Christmas. All Things Considered was about to come on, and I was listening to some show with “commentators” reciting the most inane little pieces about the trivialities of the holidays. I could just see them patting themselves on the back every time they inserted a little witticism or quip into their “commentary,” and I realized that I would never do something like that for a living. I think it was just a gut reaction to something in the voices of the men… They just sounded like spineless suburbanites who had spent their entire life commuting to and from some Bostonian university behind the wheel of a Subaru. I’m probably all wrong, but it was part of my day.
Church yesterday was incredible. God really spoke in power through Mr. Reklis as he talked about Jesus and His nature, both fully God and fully man, and how He fulfills every need we have; in essence, to worship anything or anyone else is not only futile, it’s foolishness. He is the true Word of God; God communicated everything He wanted and wants us to know though His Son. We must have created a few cracks in the rafters afterwards worshipping, singing “Shout to the Lord” as the melody goes up an octave near the end of the song…
I really wish my grades would be posted on the internet. I don’t like the waiting.