10/28/2009

Why I Do My Job

I like my job, but it is sometimes rather thankless. Today I remembered why I do it. I'm assisting on a pro bono case (I do immigration work) which I, of course, can't really go into detail about. Today I talked to the man that we are representing and as we told him what we've done and what we will be doing in the next few weeks, he listened without much comment. Then, as we were ending the call he said, "I want you to know that I appreciate you - the hard work you are doing for me. I have nothing - I can give you nothing. But I want for God to give you everything."

Sometimes my job is wonderful.

10/25/2009

Overheard Today At Church...

Between two little boys in the pew in front of us -

Boy 1: I'm part Puerto Rican and Croatian. Me and Vanessa are exactly the same thing.
Boy 2: You and Vanessa are the same?
Boy 1: Uh huh. We're exactly the same thing - Puerto Rican and Croatian.
Boy 2: Are you Asian?
Boy 1: (pause) Well, I'm not sure where Croatia is, so I might be Asian.

Too cute!

10/16/2009

The Sick Returns

So I was home sick all day today. I started feeling poorly last night and this morning, after I had tossed what was left of my cookies, Mike refused to take me to work. I'm still feeling tired, achy, snotty and generally gross, although I did watch an incredible amount of television, including all of the episodes of NCIS available on Comcast On Demand and basically an entire season of Nurse Jackie.

Tonight I sent Mike out to spend the evening with our friend, Sergio, because (although it does occasionally feel like it) I'm not dying. Now I'm feeling a little lonely, though. I always miss my mom when I don't feel well. I suppose that no matter how old you are, you always want your mom when you're sick.

I've thought a lot about her tonight and tried to figure out what the odds are that, were my mom living, either she or my dad would be on their way to Chicago. (On a side note - please do not come here, Dad). I laughed and cried at the same time when I thought about how she made Matt and my dad come to spend Thanksgiving with me at college one year because I had to work the day after and couldn't make it home for the holiday. She'd had to work, too and couldn't come down - and I had made arrangements to spend the day with our cousins, but she didn't want me to miss the family and so she sent the family to me and spent the holiday alone herself.

And how the first time she met Furio she made the mistake of trying to get too friendly, too fast. She touched his belly without permission. He never really forgave her and would growl at her whenever she came over. Now Meme treats my father horribly and it's become a bit of a joke - he takes it with good humor. My mother, however, took Furio's attitude as a personal insult and always got her feelings hurt when he wouldn't want her to pet him.

Well, anyway - I suppose I should go to bed and try to rest up. I have a ticket for tomorrow night's Blackhawk's game (thanks to Sergio) and I don't want to be too sick to go. :( That would be bad!

Goodnight.

10/15/2009

BBC Earth

So I called Mike from work today to let him know that his amazon order had been delivered to my office. He ordered a new nature documentary (BBC Earth) on blueray. He picked me up at the train today and followed me around until I pulled the disk out of my bag and gave it to him.

I went into the bedroom and changed out of my work clothes. When I came out, I caught him heading through the hallway with these...beer and Cheez-Its.

Then he disappeared into the mancave. That disk has 780 minutes worth of video....

We may never see Mike again.

10/14/2009

Today's Conversation

Mike: (making dinner)
Cindi: Can I help you?
Mike: No. I'm good.
Cindi: Smells delicious.
Mike: Yeah - I'm going vegetarian tonight.
Cindi: Very health conscious of you, Pea.
(pause) (Mike stirs)
Cindi: Would you like to share some of my treats? (pause) My big ass Cheetos? Would you like some big ass Cheetos?


Mike: (continues to stir) No, thank you. You said they weren't very good and you know I'm very picky about my Cheetos.
Cindi: (giggles) What about tuxedos! I'll share my tuxedos....mmmm....chocolate creme!
(pause)


Cindi: (while eating a chocolate creme tuxedo cookie) It says that they are great with a glass of milk!
Mike: (still stirring) Mmm hmm.
(long pause)
Mike: (stirring) It would be great if we'd bought milk with them.