It's the time of year again! The time of year I wait for every year. It just sucks that it's always at the end of the year, because that means that I just have to start waiting for it again almost right after it is over. Instead of just thinking it's over. Anyway, yes, it's Christmas time again!

My spirits always seem to rise when this time of year approaches. I always find that people are actually more caring, giving, compassionate, and all around better to one another (well, all except those first few hours the morning after Thanksgiving where everyone is trying to bully their way into the store to be sure to get that one item that is cheaper than anyone could have thought, but we aren't going to count that). The one thing that I don't like is that I can't think of anything to give people. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Christmas is a time of materialism, and even a small gift would be good. In fact, I would love to make my gifts this year, but I still don't know what to make. I'm sure I'll come up with something. I'll be going home for Christmas this year, and I'm hoping that Val will be able to come along so that she can finally meet my family!

As for now though, Thanksgiving has just ended, and right now my spirits are kind of low. I have spent the past week on the East Coast with Val, and now the time is fast approaching when I am going to have to get on board that plane again and leave. It seriously hurts. The time here has just gone by so fast, and I haven't been able to do everything I wanted to do. What hurts most of all, is the fact that if she can't come to Oregon for Christmas, I am probably not going to see her for another year. I hate to even think about that. It's hard enough just realizing now that it's only been 5 months since the last time that I saw her. That's not even the length of a West-Pac. I just hope that all remains well between us. I know that it is just as hard if not harder on her. What can I say, I love this woman. I love being around her. She makes me all around happier and makes me feel more complete (man that sounds WAY too close to Jerry McGuire).

My Thanksgiving was great though. All the food and all the people. Practically her entire family came here for Thanksgiving dinner. There were about 12 to 14 of us in the house. I got stuffed during dinner and remained stuffed for the rest of the day just snacking on things that were left over. Everyone laughed and had a great time. No really crazy events like last Christmas though... heh.

This whole week, well, not much has really happened. We went and saw "The Grinch" Saturday night, the day that I flew in. It was an excellent movie. I thought it would be good, but it was better than I expected. The theater that I was in was pretty cruddy though. It is one of the newer if not the newest theater in town. It's got stadium seating and the great sound with THX and all the good stuff, but the design of the place is poor. We were waiting for them to let us in to go to the movie in the lobby, along with everyone else, and the lobby was so packed that you couldn't even move. And some people were trying to squeeze by so they could go to a different movie. It was ridiculous. But Jared and I made it somewhat fun. We started yelling out "BUY" and "SELL" to start with, pretending we were playing the stock market while looking up at the show times on an LED board. Then we moved on to other things like getting ready to rush the crowd, and urging them on down toward the light at the end of the hallway. We ended up singing different things about the grinch movie until the finally opened it up so we could go get seats. It was fun times. I'm not going to say anything about the movie because I don't want to ruin it for anyone. Afterward we went to Pizza Hut and had some food and talked for a while. After that we rushed back home to watch Saturday Night Live with Tom Green this week. It sucked!

Sunday we went to church. I haven't been to church in quite some time. I was glad I went though. I enjoyed the sermon and the pastor. Even though I began my daydreaming stunt when he talked about some things. That's one thing I really wish I could change about myself... putting my focus into things when I need to. The rest of Sunday we just sat around here and vegetated watching movies.

Monday, involved the usual of going shopping and hanging out. We only really did some grocery shopping though. That evening I went with Jeff, Val's nephew, and played basketball with one of the church groups. I know I stink at the game, but I did make one three-pointer! WOO HOO! Sign me up for the NBA!

Tuesday, not much different. Did more shopping for the most part. But Tuesday night and Wednesday, we put up Christmas stuff. We put the tree up, and then decorated it (how many ornaments can you fit on a single tree?), played with lights some, and then put up Val's gingerbread display. That was about it, but you can only do so much in so much time. Usually we wouldn't do any Christmas preparation until after Thanksgiving, but since I leave so shortly after, we made an exception for this year.

Alas, today is Friday. Not much planned for today except just spending time together, because tomorrow is that dreadful day when I have to go back to San Diego. That is the part that I hate the most. Why is it that good things can only seem to last a short period of time? I should be doing something so that we are together for good, but the timing is not yet right. Not that things have to be perfect, but situations need to allow it. There are a couple of more things I want to do, plus with my big trip coming up.... I think I know when the time will be right. Question is, does she have the patience to wait for that time? She has already been extremely patient with me, and I thank her for that, because I know that she not the most patient person in the world. I just hope things go well and she can hold out a little longer.