First midweek letter and shoes

Oh hi elder Rivera!

I figure you’re in bed by now. I didn’t plan on writing this late. You’re into your second week in Mexico. I’m guessing you’ve found a rhythm by now. Maybe you’re feeling better about it or maybe it’s weighing on you. Probably a little of both. 

I guess I’m getting used to you being gone. I find myself leaving one light on upstairs so I don’t feel like I’m in an abandoned house when I come upstairs. I still miss your music and the smell of your cooking though. And I miss annoying you with my dad hugs and smooches. 

I can’t tell you if your tortoise is alive or dead. I’m leaving that up to your mother. 

Things feel busy here though I’m not sure if they’re really that much busier than normal. Work is going well, I’m always grateful for that. I went into the office for the first time in a while on Tuesday. It was a super busy day so it went fast. Those are the best days. I don’t know if I’ll be considered even to get an interview with that place I got the call from the headhunter about. I’m pretty sure I won’t care. I do believe I should follow up on every possible opportunity though. You need to be open to what Heavenly Father has for you. I learned that when I turned down the Olympic job the first time. Luckily, He gave me another chance. People more and more are seeking my input and leadership at work. It feels good and I feel competent enough to give it. It gives me a lot of energy and enthusiasm for work.

Church is busy too. Tonight I met with Walter Park about the stage design. I need to find some big cardboard sheets. I think we’ll keep it simple but it should turn out okay. Tomorrow I have a training meeting for my ward mission leader calling, then mom signed us up to clean the temple late at night. That plus mom wants me to go to cultural night at school after work. On the plus side, it’s our turn to take grandma to her treatment Sunday after sacrament meeting, so skipping Sunday school is always a treat.

Speaking of grandma, I wanted to go do her leaves Saturday morning before the game. But I guess the youth from her ward came over tonight. I’m sure there are still more leaves to fall that we can clean up. Mom said that she was starting to feel the effects of her treatment and that she will begin to lose hair. Poor grandma, I know you keep her in your prayers. 

Oh, thanks to you I’m in second place in my work fantasy league. Im not sure how far behind first place I am, but I’ll take it. Also thanks to you, mom won’t let me adjust the clock in our room because it’s your job to change it. 

Sunday night after I wrote we watch Fellowship of the Ring on the new projector. The bad news is it doesn’t fill up the screen as I mentioned, the good news is that the picture is super sharp and brighter than the old one ever was. I started building the cabinet for it Monday night. I got several pieces cut out from the wood I bought. I didn’t get them all cut out because I started to feel tired. I don’t like to handle my power tools when I’m tired. I like my fingers and eyes. I’m thinking about how to finish it. The wood is okay, but nothing spectacular, so the easiest option is to paint it. If it’s looking somewhat presentable when it starts taking shape, I thought about splurging on some solid wood for the top, maybe walnut or cherry or something nice. We’ll see. I mostly just need to finish it because every time I go near that projector I end up nudging it and the picture gets way out of alignment which annoys the crap out of me.

News flash, mom forgot to do Duolingo until just now at 10:38 pm. Additionally, she just doesn’t care and is going to do it anyway. And now she’s doing it loudly and dramatically.

I spoke to aunt Patti tonight, with cousin Cecily recovering, I don’t see them much and I miss her. Cecily is making good progress but she scolds me when I text her in Argeorqui language and make her laugh because she’s still very sore from her surgery and it hurts to laugh. Anyway, aunt Patti liked your letter and is looking forward to more, so is aunt Stella.

Let me know if you need me to send that email list again. I’ll be checking my email often tomorrow so you can let me know if and what time you can call.

Anyway, that’s about it for tonight. I’ll send another one Sunday.

Love you kid.

Pops 

P.s. here’s a picture of shoes. Hopefully you weren’t attached to anything in that pile, because they’re in the dump now. We can walk a little easier in the laundry room now.