Mele Kalikimaka

Getting into the holiday spirit these few days before Avery and I head to the midwest. Kelly came up yesterday from Southern Pines and we watched a cute romatic comedy called Just Friends, which takes place during the holidays.
Can't wait to blog about our 14.5+ hour car ride on Tuesday! What an adventure. Hopefully it'll be right out of a National Lampoon Vacation movie, without anyone getting injured.
Clark W. Griswold: This is no longer a vacation. It's a quest. A quest for fun. I'm gonna have fun and you're gonna have fun. We're gonna have so much fun they're gonna need plastic surgeons to remove the smiles from our faces...

Yesterday, with support and guidance from Rebecca, I embarked on my own spiritual journey. It felt really, really good. Rebecca quickly helped me understand how accessible the bible can be (rather than overwhelming), and using Grant's bible I've already started on my own two-week track overview, which will be the start of a deeper spirtuality and a closer relationship with God. I have found much help from the teaching aspects of Grant's bible already too. One line from an introduction to Psalms really struck me, as it is very close to helping me better understand my feelings during this long job search: "The joy and praise that saturate these prayers came not from an absence of problems, but from a deep conviction that a great God would overcome them."
While reading, I also came across a quote that is very much in the spirit of remembering what the holidays season is really about. So I will leave off with the quote and wish everyone a peaceful and meaningful start to the holiday season and the opportunity to share in the love and gift of family.
"During the Christmas season...our feelings of celebration are gentle aftershocks, reminders of the remarkable moment when God became a man and lived on earth."

Fareed me a bedtime story

Tonight Grant and I went with the World View group to hear Fareed Zakaria speak at Duke. It was very interesting, but very much in line with his book (wouldn't have minded hearing him on a more specific topic than globalization). But it was a really awesome experience and as close as I've come to someone so famous maybe ever. I feel that he is very positive and optimistic about America's place in the changing global landscape. He criticized congress for not making bipartisan bills...I don't know if that's the problem or just too many veto points...people end up having to stick all sorts of crap into bills to get them passed. But I won't go on forever, but I'd love some comments from anyone who is interested in Mr. Fareed Zakaria.
After the speaker we went to a really lovely dinner at Red Lotus (mom, you've eaten there before). It was delicious as usual and the conversation was so enjoyable. Neil, the assistant director's, wife was soooo spirited. She shared her food with everyone (she is from Taiwan) and we just talked a ton. Then at the end of the meal I got a fortune cookie that said "You are next in line for promotion in your firm." I was afraid I was going to have to read it out loud, which would've been slightly weird! I didn't, but you better believe I'm keeping it and sticking it on the fridge with my fareed zakaria ticket!
Avery stayed with our friend Glynnis, and honestly I don't know who's more precious. I always feel so happy every time I see Glynnis. They had a good time and Glynnis said Avery was so good and went right to sleep! I'll be happy to see the little guy, but hopefully no sooner than 4am.
I'm going to go visit our friends Paul, Courtenay, and their new baby Ari tomorrow morning, if I can get it together and if Jenn will keep Avery for a bit.
For now I'm going to go sit on the couch for a few minutes and then it's off to lala land. Peace be with you!

Exciting

Erica's blog was so cute and fun, I thought I'd start my own. After all, I spend lots of time complaining about being bored. Now everyone else can be bored with me!
So come, spend some more time not reading a book, not exercising, not interacting with the outside world. Come sit in the quiet cradle of cyberspace and I shall lull you to sleep.
Some notes:
Our friends Paul and Courtenay had a baby boy, Ari, today. 8 lbs 6 oz, congratulations!
Avery is walking. Grant just got home from work and it's 9:04 on a Sunday, time for Dexter. I did not exercise today.
A little over two weeks until Missouri and Thanksgiving. Lots of thanks to be given.
Asian stir fry is cooking away on the stove and my video has uploaded to Youtube. Peace out.