Erisue’s Weblog

Last night, around 7pm, it was -10 and the wind chill was -27. This morning, it was -16 with no wind chill. Right now, it is -4 with no wind chill. Tomorrow, it’s supposed to be 29. To put that in perspective, going from -27 to 29 is a difference of 56 degrees. That would be like going from 32 to 88 – going from cold to nice and toasty. But, going from -27 to 29 is going from unbelievably, freakin’ cold to just really, really cold. Damn it, I hate the freakin’ winter.

Last night, when we were leaving the grocery store, I could feel the moisture in my eyes trying to freeze, even with my eyes closed – never felt that before – odd, odd feeling.  I hope to never feel it again.

Did I mention how much I hate the winter?

Well, my 2008 was a bit better than my 2007.  Ris made the flag squad, and competitions start at the end of this month.  E was put into advanced math and is in the chess club (which he absolutely loves).  Both of them are doing much better in school.  I finally earned my Associate from ICC and was accepted into both the History and English Bachelor’s programs at UIS.  Classes start again less than a week, and as much as I welcome the break, I’m always anxious for them to start. 

Of course there were some rough patches throughout the year, but I have many things in which to be thankful.  The rough patches include, but are not limited to, the death of a beloved friend (who I miss terribly at times), having to deal Lonnie’s irrational and incomprehensible method of thinking and reasoning, dealing with familial indifferences and ignorance to my religion along with discriminations against my son’s “disability”, and the general dealing with the dumb asses in my life (which gets increasingly difficult as the years go by – either they become greater dumb asses or my patience lessens – perhaps both).

However, I also have things in which I am thankful.  First and foremost, I am thankful my children are healthy, safe, happy, and are the people they are.  I am also thankful that I have a job in which to support them, and myself…especially when so many people are being laid-off.  I am thankful that a veil has been lifted from my eyes, and I can see things much more clearly now.  I am thankful for a friend who has returned to my life (who I honestly appreciate and who is the person to whom I can be unconditionally honest).  I am thankful for the true friendships I have and for the two people to whom I can be myself without the annoyance of being judged.  (I hope you know who you are.)   I am thankful for the health of the two babies born to friends who are like family to me, and for their own health and happiness as well as that of their families.  I am thankful I am able to continue my education (although the professor I had for English last semester is included in the dumb asses category of my life.)

I’ll stop there because I could go on about both topics.  At the beginning of 2009, life is content, and Inshallah, it will, at least, stay that way.