Too much fun?

I hope not. But I am taking my pursuit of fun seriously this semester, and it's off to a good start. I've been out more nights than I've stayed home this week. Last night, I went to a friend's concert. The beer soaked floor and my orthopedic boot didn't stop me from getting my groove on. Like I said, I'm out for serious fun and taking my cues from Cyndi Lauper.

Note to my parents: Fun has not kept me from getting my thesis underway.

Vouvray, dinner and dancing

I am kicking off what I expect to be the best semester yet. I felt hesitant driving into Missouri with my friend Kevin. Anxiety about restarting school set in, even though I'm not enrolled in any formal classes.

But, no sooner had I unloaded my bags than my friends Hilary and Rick called to invite me to dinner at Abigail's — a small, locally sourced restaurant — in Rocheport. Five of us had a long, delicious dinner. We caught up on the news of the break, discussed the body art in the bathroom (Rick noted that painted body parts had produced the interesting blotches on the wall) and sipped wine.

Afterward, we wandered over to the General Store where a folk/blues band called the The Thin Dimes was playing music that got me dancing even with my broken foot. I felt happy, a little floaty from the glass of Vouvray, and warm. I'm taking it as an omen of the semester that lies ahead.

Final week of rest

On the 22nd, school resumes. That means I have one more week of sloth.

I woke up this morning to find Tina curled into the crook of my knees. We've shared many hours of bed rest over the past month. So many hours, in fact, that my brother Vinnie suggested I might have a future working for Lebeda — the mattress company.

Something to keep in mind if journalism doesn't pan out.

The celebration continues

While the holidays are over, the break is not. I'm still in Iowa, and my family still has reason to celebrate. My brother Vinnie turned 20 this week. We found that cause to travel to Iowa City for a late lunch with Catarina and J.J.

The following day, and his actual birthday, we celebrated with Claire and other friends in Cedar Falls.

All the Stigliani children have passed through their teenaged years and I'm excited to see what comes next.