its the holidays?

Three day count down until my relatives leave. My feelings on their departure? Well, I just declared a count down, so you figure that one out. I will, however, miss having meals already prepared and the house always clean. Once they leave, I'll have to some how figure out a schedule that will fit waitressing, house-keeping, preparing meals for my father, and other miscellaneous errands together in harmony. The word choice of 'Harmony' probably well reflects the fact that I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. Regardless, I'm really looking forward to walking around the house and actually feel like its my own house.

The biggest hindrance in my life right now are probably my wisdom teeth. I think I've finally convinced my dad to take the morning off and shuttle me back and forth between the procedure, but its not signed and sealed so I'm still mildly worried that I'll be high on laughing gas with no transportation home. After my consultation with the surgeon the other day, I concluded that I'm in good hands (at least for the surgical portion): she graduated from U of Chi, volunteered her specialty in many southeast Asian countries, and actually knew what the fuck I was talking about when I tried explaining how my personal life completely complicates this procedure. She was amazingly attentive- she was careful to pick out prescription drugs (for after the surgery) that would not interact with Mefloquine (though, I guess she would be otherwise liable if she didn't..); she understood my hesitation after she asked if I would have someone to drive me to and from the operation; and she even reassured me that the cold (that I made no mention of) that I'm suffering from was just due to jetlag and the transition back to the US-- and most importantly, that I'd be better soon. She's basically the first doctor (okay, oral surgeon) I've ever met who's played the caring role of nurse and I'm eternally grateful to her because I really wish my mom was here. I am getting all four pulled January 6th, 9:00am. I turn 21 January 8th. The doctor tried making me feel better by saying that all the prescription pain killers I would be on would basically make me feel drunk 24/7. Sounds good to me-- I'll just celebrate my birthday when back at Grinnell :)

The other night I got caught in the freezing rain trying to get to Georgetown. I showed up completely shaking from the cold and drenched to the core, but all was better after we hit the piano room and I could just sit back and listen to Yoshi play. In Senegal I never had the time to simply sit and appreciate the music, you were always expected to dance along with the tom toms. Artistically (not that I should really be creating the division), all that's left for me to do in the US that I missed out on in Senegal, is to paint. I miss painting so incredibly much-- but I'm sure Ill have a good time with that when I'm recovering from the surgery and high on vicadin.

I started up work again at PF Chang's; nothing all too eventful has happened yet-- though I think Im working a double on Christmas Eve. When I worked two nights ago, a party of 324903824 women asked to each get individual checks. I gave them the dirtiest look and they realized that that was one really stupid request, apologized, paid, and gave me (and Wayne, who split the party with me) an extra $30+ tip on top of what we already grat-ed them. In retrospect, maybe my dirty look wasn't so dirty more so as a puppy dog, I-may-cry-look.