A Conversation About Kids

A: Dude, I look at you and my parents and man... I don't want any kids. I mean kids are cool and all, and they're fun to look at, so long as they're not my kids.

B: What? Why don't you want kids?

A: Cuz man... kids will siphon the life out of you. They're little parasites. It's funny, you know, in Nicaragua while I was running our pharmacy, I put the condoms with the anti-parasite medicines.

B: [laugh]

A: No, seriously. I look at my parents, and I'm like, "Man, you guys really fucked up when you had me and my sisters." Like that part in Knocked Up when Seth Rogen is talking to his dad? "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." "Now I just feel bad for you." Yeah, just like that. If I could go back and warn my parents, I'd be like, "Whoa! Hold on there and think about what you're about to do."

B: It's not like that at all. Being a father is awesome. I mean my son is an asshole right now, but when he's not being a butt screaming for what he wants, it's a lot of fun.

A: So I've heard. You say that and C said that he's enjoying fatherhood, too.

B: It's true. You'll see, if you ever become a father or get married, you'll change your mind.

A: Fat chance of that happening.

B: Of you getting married?

A: Ass. I meant becoming a father.

B: Well what if your future wife wants kids?

A: That's why we're gonna talk before I commit and make sure this shit doesn't go down.

B: Okay, well what about if one of your snipers gets passed the barrier?

A: Hm... Hopefully, she's pro-choice!

B: [laugh] And if she's not?

A: Well, I guess I'm fucked there, aren't I? And so help me God if my kids turn out anything like me, cuz I'm not gonna lie: I was an asshole kid.

B: I know. I was there. Seriously, being a dad is awesome. Think of it this way: each kid is a little lottery ticket. One of them could make it big and you'll just live off them in your old age.

A: [laugh]

B: Plus I look forward to the day when I'll no longer have to do dishes or wash my car or else someone's going to get beat.

A: [laugh] What are you running a fucking sweat shop or something? "Yeah, my son's an asshole, but he's a good day laborer."

B: [laugh]

HADOKEN!

Things to be thankful for:

1) Talked to my boss about the way I was let go. Saved my job, albeit I've been demoted. But! Having a job is better than not having a job. It's better this way, really; my hourly shouldn't change, I'll have less hours and I won't have to worry so much about making up time I've missed for school. Now I just have to worry about finding health insurance (again).

2) I am officially done with this semester and I'm so happy I made it out alive. Seriously. Halfway through, I thought this semester was going to eat me alive, between having to balance 15 hours of school, 20 hours of work, and 4 hours at the hospital each week. I made it out, with a few cuts and bruises, but in hindsight, it was nothing God couldn't handle for me. I should be coming out with at least a 3.8 with an outside shot at perfect. A 3.8 is a little short of what I accomplished last semester, but all things considered, I'm satisfied. I don't think med schools will begrudge me one B considering the load I had this semester, and if they do, they can blow it out their ....

Anyway, going back to the job drama, I can't ignore the role God played in this. I was pretty much set on leaving Austin. And I'm still going to leave the first chance I get. But it's funny. I often have a hard time listening for God, really relying on Him and letting Him lead. This time I asked for guidance about what to do and He answered loud and clear: stay put. He did it speaking softly through others, but I've never had so obvious an answer to a prayer request. Crazy. Neither can I ignore how much God wants me to trust in His wisdom, because He really does see the beginning and the end of things. Now I just have to keep that in mind for the future.

I think it'll work out. Yeah, I'm freakin' tired of Austin, but I've only got one more semester to get through. Plus, I have the chance to actually graduate with honors and finally get my (2006!) class ring. Haha. Something to look forward to.

Isaiah 55:9: As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.