Musings on work, family, and friends

Its 930 am, and I'm putting off doing anything productive. I have a meeting in an hour and a half, but I really don't want to go. It feels like there's nothing to do, besides simply show-up to this meeting, then create an action plan for a strategic plan later in the day for my other organization. This is the first Monday during a semester that I haven't had class, and it feels strange. Strange that I feel like I have no homework due; strange that I feel so lazy.

This time last week, I was in Utah playing with my niece. She is such an adorable little girl. It's crazy how much effort babies take. It was really an eye-opening experience. I think my sister and brother-in-law were as ready as anyone to have kids, but it's still a stressful experience. I feel grateful that they are married, and that Abigail was born in a home where she can be with her parents forever. She is a blessed little kid to be born into a family where her parents are together, and that she has an uncle willing to drive nearly 35 hrs straight to come see her and her parents.

This was only the third time I've seen my niece, the first was just days after she was born, then last month in Pensacola, I managed to find time to drive home for the weekend, and now, the semester break. She's growing like a little weed. It's fun to see how much bigger she's gotten each time I see her. I also love how photogenic she is. She brightens every picture she's in.

This meeting is quite a juxtaposition from that happy situation. This meeting is for an organization called young fathers of central florida - they work with young fathers who aren't ready to have kids, who can't pay child support and typically don't really know their baby's mama too well. It's a meeting for fund-raising. As I have worked with this organization, I've learned a lot about the nature of some types of people. It's a sad life for them, but it's the one that they choose.

The girls give it up after knowing the guy less than a few hours. The guys have a certain feeling of conquest. There is no relationship, there is no love between them, in most cases. After knowing little Abigail (my niece) and seeing all the work she requires of her parents right now, I can't imagine how stressful it would be to try to raise a child without a full-time, dedicated father.

It's a really sobering thought for me. My niece is so adorable. I follow my sister's blog and take the pictures off of it, every time she puts up a new one that I don't have.

The internet is an interesting tool because it allows me to stay close and feel involved with my sister's life, so through the pictures, I can watch my niece grow, even though I have chosen that I don't want to be in Utah full-time.

That's another interesting thought I had whilst there on my last trip. If I got a job offer in Utah, I would strongly consider moving back. I hadn't realized how much I missed my good friends. It was so great to spend what time there was with them, and hear about what's going on their lives. It was the best vay-kay I've taken in a while, and I just want to say thanks.

Now, I guess I'll get ready to do work.