Grosseries

Today I woke up feeling, well, not so hot. I got up and went to work, which was okay. Thankfully I got out early since it was slow, and I felt gross.

Knowing I had nothing to eat at the house, especially nothing kind of healthy, I headed out to the store. The whole time I was rockin so much phlegm. It was pretty disgusting. In fact, it's still disgusting... But anyhow, I got some bananas, apples, oranges, orange juice, chicken (for soup!) and ice cream sandwiches. Yes, they are delicious.

Hopefully this year's sickness won't be as bad as last year's. It happened like this: I hadn't eaten or drank anything for almost 24 hours. By the time I realized it, I could barely get to the kitchen table. Once I was there, I could hardly speak, let alone dial the phone for someone to come help me out. I thought the ER or death was immanent. The scariest part was when all the finger tips on either hand came together to a point, involuntarily. Rather than roll over and die, I did what any Floridian would do: I ate oranges! And like a plant in the sun, I was rejuvenated.

I'm doing a preemptive strike this year. I've already eaten, and drank. I've got fruit handy. The only thing more I could ask for? Sleep. Lots of sleep.

How do you fight the plague?

Finally Home

For many of you reading that, you probably think I'm in Florida, eh?

The hardest part about moving somewhere is trying to make that place, "home." Some say, "Home is where you hang your heart." Pumba said, "Home is where your rump rests." Chris Daughtry says, "I'm going home," which really doesn't fit into the formula, but I'd like to think I'm up with pop songs that came out over a year ago.

Eight months after bringing my stuff to Lombard, IL, I'm finally adjusting to the fact that this is home. What makes it home? It's more than where I sleep, eat and go to school.

1. The majority of people I am in contact with are around me.
2. I know enough places to go eat that aren't corporate.
3. I can find 3 independent coffee shops within 30 minutes driving.
4. I can give directions places.
5. I feel comfortable being here.

For months I just wanted to finish my degree and get out of here, because the midwest isn't that great. But someone asked me why I was in such a rush, and I didn't have an answer. So, I decided to slow down a bit. That was about 5 months ago. Now, at month 8, I'm accepting where I am.

The truth is that home can be wherever you let it be. People ask about how it feels to make the move from Orlando to the midwest, wondering which one is better. I have come to the conclusion that wherever you let yourself really be is going to likely be a good place.

A place to love and be loved.

A place to hear and be heard.

A place to eat and... well, maybe the formula ends there.

I had written a six-word memoir which read "Not there yet; not here, either." It takes time, but I think wherever you are, there you are; so, you might as well be there.

Here I am.

It's not a bad place to be.

Heck, it might even be good.