All I can say is: Thank goodness! We’re in great need of a few days off of school around here. I always know things have gotten a bit too crazy when I realize that our loads in the dishwasher are 95% Tupperware- no sit down dinners for us, it’s pack and go. Fall break couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. With my recital next weekend, I am thrilled to have several days open to really dedicate myself to my music and to have time to rehearse with my pianist. Not to mention I have a midterm and large paper due on Wednesday after fall break, so it won’t be much of a “break” in terms of the amount of work I have to do, but at least I can do it on my own terms, in the comfort of my own home.

Tom is going to Chicago to present his research at the annual neuroscience convention for the next five days, so it will just be me. As always, it will be sad to have him away.

Which leads me into something I have felt a real need to express this last while. Mainly, that I have a most incredible husband. I just never cease to be amazed at how wonderful he is. Whether it’s the fact that he almost always drops me off, so I won’t be late to class. Or that he’ll make me popcorn or dinner so I will have a welcome surprise when I get home after a long day. Perhaps it is that he doesn’t judge me when I come home cross and upset, and that he laughs and smiles even when my jokes aren’t that funny. That he simply asks “Are you hungry?” when I am more irritable than usual, and that he continues to let me tickle him, even though he hates it. I could go on and on. I guess my response to this should be, what am I doing so that he could say the same about me. I work on that everyday.  While I can’t claim to be as excellent a spouse as he is; I am grateful for his example of how to make a marriage wonderful every day.

Tom have fun in Chicago- I’ll miss you.