family tradition

i glance around the table, sneaking looks at the stony faces of those around me. my pointer finger lightly taps the back of my cards as i contemplate my next move. the aroma of my vanilla red tea tickles my nose as i inhale slowly. laying this one card would change the game to my favor and i would have control, but i couldnt decide if i wanted to take control just yet or continue playing mind games with those opposing me. i gazed into the eyes of my game partner, silently wishing he would tell me what i should do. slowly, i lay down my card, face down. as i flip it over a sly smile slithers onto my face. i hear the soft groans the opponents to my left and right and my partner smiles triumphantly as i flip over the black bird. the game is mine for the taking. i have already tallied the points in my head, i know the opposing team is set. i allow a victory sigh slip from my lips as i kick back, relax, and win  

the marine corp gave me a present

yes. it did. really. no lies. for some reason my brothers commander signed off on him taking leave to come home for Christmas.....he had only been there for 2 weeks!!! i was super excited. now dont get me wrong,  my bro does get on my nerves..and he did get on my nerves. but it was still nice to have him home over the holidays. it was the first time he had been home for Christmas since he joined the USMC over 2.5 years ago. (: it was great. and tooooo short.

the holidays

The holidays are supposed to be a time of love, compassion, and showing those you love that you do, in fact, love them. So why does it seem most people are concerned with giving the best present or having the juiciest turkey? As I walk down the corridors of the local mall, all I see are panicking mothers dragging their screaming babies into store after store getting in the “last minute shopping.” If you ask me, Christmas would be more enjoyable for everyone if we would forget the notion of presents and gift giving. Stop expecting a huge box wrapped in brilliantly colored paper with dancing elves and shiny snowflakes printed all over it. Instead, wake up early Christmas morning, take your feast to a local homeless shelter, and volunteer there all day. Learn what Christmas is all about. Instead of receiving and giving trivial things that you will forget you even own three months down the road, give your time. Show love and compassion to a poor soul. That will last forever. Plus, it will cut the chaos and angst of finding those last minute perfect gifts. You won’t have to deal with the annoying lines and crowds of people which, nonchalantly, seem to get everyone out of the holiday spirit and more in tune with our inner Grinch’s and scrooges.

snow and blogging.

i hate blogging. no. hate is not a strong enough word to appropriately describe my loathing towards blogging, and yet, here i am, blogging. if i had my way, i would do no such thing, but sadly, i want to make a semi descent grade, and if i want to make a good grade, i must BLOG. bleck. blogging is like scraping nails on a blackboard and in the background a banshee is screaming for dear life. i hate it. it is annoying and a thorn in my butt. and you no what else i hate, snow. it is wet and it gets everywhere just like sand. except! it melts. and makes you wet. and then you get hypothermia and die. snow is stupid. it keeps my shut up in my house for days at a time, sending me nearer and nearer to insanity. it is  funny though to drive down the road and see all the 4wd vehicles chillin in the ditch. meh. i hate snow. and i hate blogging