Christmas Music

I know that I will probably catch some flack for this...but if you have ever worked in a mall or a restaurant around the holidays you can probably sympathize.

There are many people out there who love the holidays for many reasons...some like to spend time with their families, some like to shop, some look for a good excuse to have a vacation from work...and some like the "holiday cheer". The latter of that list usually entails a love of Christmas music and all things related.

I want to start by saying that I AM NOT A SCROOGE by any means. I love holidays...I love hanging out with my family...I love taking some time off from school and work. I truly love the "real" meaning to celebrate Christmas (the birth of Jesus). But something that I truly truly do not like is Christmas music.

Fourteen years of working in restaurants (the majority of which was in malls) has jaded me when it comes to holiday music. To the point that when I come across it on the radio I instantly change the dial. Dont get me wrong...there are some old songs with good theological meaning that I can tolerate. But the thought of having a "Blue Christmas" or "Seeing momma kissing Santa Clause" makes my stomach turn even writing the words :). And every year it has gotten earlier and earlier. In the old days they used to hold off until the day after Thanksgiving...this year I actually heard some Christmas music on the radio more than a week ago.

Let me know your thoughts...

Graduation...14 years later :)

Alright...Alright...I can take a hint. I know that I have been a blog slacker lately, but cut me some slack...I deal with daily drama at work...and I have had an extremely busy time lately.

But, the end is in sight. My semester is one week away from being done (my Hebrew final is next Friday), and I will have until the end of January before I start back...almost two full months of a school break.

I am so stoked...I met with an Academic advisor yesterday to confirm some decisions I was in the process of making. Some background on this...my masters degree is a 91 hour masters degree. I have been working on it since the fall of 2000. I have had five semesters where I was a full time student (9+ hours) and one semester off and the rest I have been considered part time (6 or less hours). I decided it was time to look into finally getting stinkin done and get serious about a plan (much like I have done with my finances in the past few months...they have started to turn around finally).

As of now...I will take 3 hours in the spring, 6 hours next fall, 9 hours the following spring, then 6, then 3. All while keeping my full time job, doing ministry, and trying to keep up with my relationships. The spring '07 semester will be a bear.

So projected graduation date...........................Spring 2008.

Graduated high school......................................Spring 1994.

Total college and grad school............................14 STINKIN YEARS!!!

How in the world does this happen to people :).

For those out there who have had college and post grad classes...please share some of these stories and help me feel better :).

Have a great Thanks...givin' (I have been told this is how I pronounce this word by my great friend A-dog).