The most amazing week ever

This week has been one of the most emotionally draining weeks of my life, and I would argue that most non-death-related draining week of my life.  I went from questioning my faith, to having a crisis, to feeling pretty much hopeless, then having my faith reawakened and now it’s almost over powering.  This is a recap of this week.  It’s long, as a warning.

its offical

the car is dead.  needs a new engine.

and a crappy christmas it shall be

So I got sick down in Colubmus from my mom, who had flu like symptoms.

And on the way home, my car died.  Hardcore smoke, maybe even a little fire, kind of dying.

What a great christmas this was.

I’m pretty worried this will be a lot more expensive than the last car problem, which might cause some serious problems for me.  Cant do anything now, as the car is waiting for Midas to open tomorrow morning.  But its a happy time in Kinsis apartment right about now.

My family’s Christmas Tradition

It might be a little odd, quelle surprise with my family, but we have a family Christmas tradition: being completely unable to hold in the surprise.  My mom, for example and for no apparnet reason, felt the need to tell me a few hours ago one of the gifts I was getting was a new pair of flanel lounge pants.  Nothing in particular brought this up, she just felt the need to share it.  It happens every year, and its ususally all of us share the surprise of our gifts before Christmas morning.  I told my mom some of the gifts I had gotten others, because she was dying to know, but have been steadfast in my avoidance of what her gift will be.

The spirituality of baking cookies

Every year around this time, much to the delight of my students, I go through a baking bonanza. I call it my Christmas Cookie Bakefest. I bake an obscene amount of cookies for the 20s/30s Holiday Party (and take the lots of leftovers to work.) Every year I try an experimental cookie – last year it was my andes double mint chocholate chip cookies, which were a resounding success. (This year I topped it with Carmel Chocolate Chip cookies – my own chocolate chip cookie recippie, with these little caramel drops stirred in. They are wonderful!)

This is the only time of the year I really get into baking cookies. And there’s something almost spiritual about it.

I’m making something from scratch, combing many little somethings into something greater than the sum of their parts.  And I give it to others; sharing something tangible and edible with my friends and family.  And in such, sharing a little of myself.