Christmas Carol(ing)

Saturday was my first weekend without studying in months. It was nice to wake up without an agenda and mile-long to-do list to greet me. In the afternoon Kenyon and I went to see the Christmas Carol at the Missouri Repertory theatre. Over the years, I've been to this show twice before with my friend Elaine. It is a great production of this holiday classic. Very festive and appropriate for the holiday. They had Christmas carolers singing in the lobby before and after the show just beside a giant Christmas tree. A few short hours after the Christmas Carol, Kenyon and I attended a Christmas cantata featuring Gamil Sidhom (married to my good friend Yasmine). This was a big event for Gamil - an Egyptian native, this was his first singing event in the USA. He used to sing opera and in the choir in his home country. The other thing that made this event significant, it was not in the Orthodox church. For both cultural and religious reasons this was a big deal. Kenyon and I were part of a small cheering section for Gamil, with Yasmine sitting by our side. These Christmas caroling events definitely got me in the spirit of Christmas. Merry Christmas to all...

Finished!!!!!

As of Thursday, I finished my first semester of my PhD program. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! The moment I printed out my last final - a series of four essays - I did a little happy dance. What a relief to be done! I'm going to take the next two weeks off. I'll still be working my two part-time jobs, but I won't be studying, reading or writing. This coming Wednesday Kenyon and I get on a airplane to New Mexico for the Christmas holiday. When we come back, though I have school related work to do I am not going to do it. My mind needs a rest. I will, however, be working on stuff for India. A few short weeks and I will be on the other side of the world (again). I can hardly wait. The team going with me is as excited as I am. I will send email journals while I'm there, expect it. In case I don't see you - Merry Christmas!

Lemon Meringue

This weekend Kenyon gave me a wonderful gift - okay, many wonderful gifts, but I'm particularly grateful for a specific one. Friday he bought me a coat from my "wish list" with a matching scarf, hat, and glove set. And it's not even Christmas! He just showed up with it! Saturday, he cooked an elaborate meal while I was studying at the library (I was there open to close. Ugh!). I came home to salad, pork chops, chicken breast, alfredo pasta, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn bread, blueberry muffins, apple cinnamon muffins, and...fresh lemon meringue pie. I can't think of anything so romantic as a home lemon meringue pie. Very impressive! My definition of romance has changed over the years. Rather than fancy dinners, exotic locations, and elaborate gifts - it includes thoughtful gifts from the heart, like a homemade lemon meringue pie. It was such a thoughtful gift and refreshing after a long, grueling, unpleasant day of studying. What a man! Pardon my bragging, I just had to share. I've been enjoying my pie all week. I finished it off last night, enjoying the last piece for dessert.

beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

This week I attended my first of many holiday parties. There was a party at the KU Bookstore with a wonderful spread of food (which substituted for my dinner) and prizes. I can't recall winning anything of value before now, but at this party I was the lucky recipient of a 2GB iPod Nano (a $300 value). Awesome! This is compatible with my new CD player in my car (a birthday present from my family). I can just hook it up and listen to the music of my choice. If you are wondering what a good Christmas gift might be for Sheri - I can solve that mystery; an amazon.com or iTunes gift card would be greatly appreciated (excuse my blatant request for presents). Now I need to decide what to do with my old iPod mini. Any takers? If not, I will sell it on ebay to help pay for my school books for Spring.

Thursday I also attended a free KC Symphony holiday concert with my small group. I attended this event last year. It is wonderful. The music is great, the musicians interact with the audience, the venue provides refreshments and a wonderful ambiance...what a night! Now for those of you who think attending a symphony has to be boring - think again. I bet you can't say you've heard a rendition of "Joy to the World" polka style? Or, what about the "Nutcracker Sweet & Sour"? Well, I have and they are entertaining! These were just a few of the pieces performed at the symphony that evening. The event definitely put me in the holiday spirit.

Feliz Navidad!

Then there was one

One week and one day left in the semester. I will be finished December 12. I can hardly wait! I have a class presentation tonight. A research paper to complete, due next Monday, and a final next Tuesday. The end is near. Hallelujah!