Only 5 days till...Japan

At this time of year, the usual phrase ends with Christmas. Well, in my case, it's a different countdown. To describe the sense of busyness that I've experienced is tough. I am not sure that I can do it justice in fact.

Between school....and life, there hasn't been much more than my online class preoccupying my time and my mind. What further complicated manners is that my second online class is overlapping the finish of the first one.

Just to give you a glimpse of one day, here's yesterday's recap:

• Woke up at 4:45am
• ran 17.5 miles
• celebrated a special person's Birthday
• Took a shower
• inhaled an In n Out #2!
• Finished 10 page research paper
• Going to bed at 11:30pm

The good news is I don't run 17.5 miles every day! The research paper was frustrating because I absolutely had no clue how to format the MLA style. I have no problem writing, it's just the mechanics of it.

So, it surprises me that I got up early. I was hoping to sleep in. After teaching Sunday school, I need to come home and make a list for my upcoming trip,
What to pack and what to bring. I leave Friday for Japan to go visit Steven, my oldest son.
I am so excited but have hardly had a moment to relish the feeling. As I was driving home from my running this morning, I passed by LAX and for a few seconds got the butterflies!
Truly, that was the first time it hit me...I've been too busy to notice?

Christmas preparations are at a standstill. I've done minimal Christmas shopping and have not even sent out the cards! Every year, I resolve to get the tree up on December 1st, send out cards the same week and have all the shopping done and wrapped a week prior! HA! What great intentions....

As I sit and type this, I am looking out my window and can see the sun reflecting on my neighbor's tile roof. It rained most of last night and today it is supposed to pour. I suppose the weather man is wrong again? I see few clouds in the blue sky. Who knows, it could change!

I feel a yawn coming on, so I think I will crawl back into bed and catch another hour or so of sleep. It's going to be another long day...I may even take a nap later! (I usually need one after my long runs on Saturday)

Getting Christmas out of the attic...

It's time. There wasn't much Thanksgiving leftovers this year. In fact, the pumpkin pie was gone the morning after. It's very yummy for breakfast with a nice cup of coffee (flavored with that new Pumpkin Spice Creamer) So with the long weekend ahead and a bunch of reading to be done for school, I began to think about those boxes up in the attic.

Boxes that were labeled "Christmas" and were filled with years and years of homemade ornaments compliments of my kids. I have never been one to decide months in advance on a "theme" or "color" for the Christmas tree. Martha Stewart would probably cringe politely at the sight of my Christmas tree. The favorite and most delicate time worn ornaments are hung toward the top and the front of the tree for all to admire. Some of my favorites include Steven's cardboard green wreath which still has 5 or 6 elbow macaronis attached to it. (Steven made this in Kindergarten)Then there's two cardboard red stockings with Aldo's and Phillip's pictures in the middle. Cristina also has an ornament cut out still covered with silver glitter and her smiling picture from 2nd or 3rd grade. Yes, these are the "prized" ornaments that I carefully wrap each year when the tree comes down.

In those boxes are many Christmas memories. Even the Nativity scene that I purchased for a few dollars at a closeout store is priceless. Each year, I find a different place to set it up hoping that it inspires the same inexplicable awe I feel as I remember the story of Jesus' amazing birth.
Along with the ornaments, I have all kinds of decorations for the house. Candles, figurines and snow men...It's been a while since I've gone out and bought anything new since the "old" seems to be all I need.

Saturday was a busy day. I had a 14 miler to run with my group so by the time I got home and showered it was already early afternoon. I had to get online for school and I still have not caught up on all my reading. Today was just as busy. I taught Sunday school and went out to lunch with my daughter and hubby. Then, back online to take my 4-hour Exam! There's nothing easy about short or long essay questions especially when they count for 75% of my grade! ARGH!

After dinner I went upstairs and looked out my bedroom window. Across the street, a neighbor already has their lights up. Funny how those lights can make you feel like Christmas is quickly approaching again. So, here I sit to write (taking a break from my reading) and think about my Christmas that is STILL in the attic waiting to come out.

I'll "make time" this week after work, after I run, after making dinner...doing laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, vacuuming....you get the picture! Christmas will be here soon and I leave for Japan on Dec. 22nd. I think it's time to make a list and check it twice of what I need to do.

Stay tuned...

32 days and counting. . .

I did not sleep well last night. Have you ever had your sleep interrupted in the midst of a dream? Well, that was my case except it was several different disturbing dreams. I guess I should welcome the interruptions and be thankful I am awake now. I don't have work or school this week. (The online reprieve is just for the online discussion...I have a LOT of reading still to do and a huge exam next Tuesday!)

Even before I get my coffee, I turn on my computer and check my email. This morning my son Steven (who's been in Japan working for the past 17 months) emailed me. His words are always poetic and full of meaning. He is anticipating my arrival in 32 days!

This will be my second trip to Japan except this time I leave before Christmas. It will be strange not to be home with my family. But, I will spend this Christmas with Steven and his girlfriend. Then we will visit Kyoto. Steven said it's been raining non-stop and that the weather is cooling off. I remember the cold from last time so this time I will be better prepared.

I miss Steven so much. He still has another year from June since his contract was renewed. With Cristina leaving in June and him still gone...the house will feel emptier. Phillip is still here but hardly ever really home. I suppose if I can handle a son in Japan, I can handle having a daughter in Michigan. Michigan is a lot closer!

So now preparations begin. I will be decorating the house earlier and making sure the Christmas shopping is done in time! (Jeff and I have spent many a Christmas Eve nights STILL wrapping!)
I need to make a list...check it twice and make sure I get it all done!

32 days and counting...