I can never title properly, so this is the title.

Man, so much has been happening lately. Since that last post, three people have gotten jobs including myself (who has since remained busy with work, almost 20 hours/wk consistently), my outlook on life has changed drastically as well as my view of Christianity, and I've just learned a lot about myself in general lately.

My dad went to rehab this past month, not for drugs but rather for the surgery he had in March. His muscles have gotten a lot better, he's off the prescription pain pills (which, is good since he doesn't have insurance other than Workman's Comp), but it looks like he'll have to live with the numbness in his forearm. All is well, though, he's learning to deal which is all we can ask of our minds and bodies, really.

I'm learning to play guitar again. What I've realised about myself and my ability to get things done is that if I don't see progress or a point or motive as I go along, I give up. I'm trying to teach myself to push forward in everything I take on in life, even if it's just for fun. Last time I tried to learn guitar, I gave up after 2 weeks or so because my fingers hurt and I was getting frustrated with my lack of knowledge of the instrument itself. This time it will be different. I wrote a song already! :)

My next update-ish point would be that my insomnia-like unrest is coming back. Last night I went to sleep at 5 in the morning because I was writing that song. Tonight, it's 2 in the morning, I'm supposed to be waking up in an hour to take my sister shopping, but I'm not tired. It's easier for me to be honest with myself in the early morning hours: my walls that I put up for the purpose of keeping people out are relieved of their duties, the delirious state that I'm put in from general lack of sleep powers my creativity and I figure since I've nothing better to do, that creativity actually GOES somewhere. This winter break, I'm going to be utilising the early hours to my benefit on a regular basis, I've just now decided.

Today was Thanksgiving, a holiday that has in time been warped from a celebration of the early European voyage to America to a day which is full of gorging on turkey and potatoes and other delicious food and spending time with family and close friends. Anyways, a tradition that we now have added to this holiday is that of stating what we're thankful for in our lives at present. My family.. I dunno, forgot or something (you can guarantee that we'll be making up for this somehow) so we never said what we're grateful for! I'll say mine here.

I am thankful for (in no particular order):

• Opportunity of education
• A roof over my head
• Possibility of "a dream come true"
• Creative expression
• Running water
• Food to eat that is sometimes taken advantage of in such a powerful country
• My mom and dad, my sister Liz, Ryan, KT, Anastasia, Amanda, Rebecca, Jasmine, Justin, and the rest of my friends and family who love me
  
• Any musical and intellectual ability that I have been blessed with
• The United States Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution (seriously, I tear up reading them)
  
• Missionary work in Peru (which I may be volunteering for in the future) and Guatemala
• Clarity of mind that comes with the ability to stay sober and joyful rather than the desire to be drunk and "happy"
• Technology and the ever-expanding information network (the internet) that is used in a productive manner, such as this website

I just want to run to You and break off the chains 
And throw them away
I just want to be so much and shake off the dust 
That turned me to rust
Sooner than later, I need a Saviour. I need a Saviour.
Stand me up and maybe I won't be so small.
Free my hands and feet and maybe I won't always fall.
Save me.

--LIGHTS, "Saviour"