Day 124

Today was a very busy day:

I had to wake up and do an 8-12 playroom shift at work. No kids came in, but that didn't stop me from taking on other projects. I took all of the huge exercise balls and cleaned them and re-inflated them. Kicking around several of these things, was just fun. After work I met up with my mom at Costco for some lunch, and then stopped at my grandma's house to pick up a present.

After Grandma's, I drove out to the Woodland Mall area. I strolled about the frenzy of shoppers, running into Melissa and her sister and friend Terrel, as well as my ex girlfriend's mother. I got to catch up with her, which was great. I've always loved her parents.

After the mall I went back to work to do some of my own working out with my friend Dana. We did a good hour of lifting, and then after the workout, we played racquetball. That my friends, is an intense sport. I can see why goggles are recommended.

After the workout I punched in for a shift for closing the gym, and well, closed the gym. After work I went over to Chad's house, and myself and him as well as Sam watched the original Home Alone, in glorious high definition. Darn good film.

- Work out buddies -

Day 123

Perhaps its the current mood I'm in, but this post is different. It feels different.

This morning I woke up and was just able to relax. I was able to play Call of Duty after a good month lull. I was able to watch my brother play his games. I was able to eat soup and eBay. I was able to,.... I was able. That's just it. I was able. I had the ability, and I did. I was given a gift, I was given freedom to rest and enjoy myself. This is something I have forgotten how to do.

I worked tonight, though I stopped at Meijer to surprise my grandma and my Aunt Gail who is in from Texas. I got to see them for a little bit, and then grabbed a salad and sub and went to work.  At work, Caleb came in to visit me tonight.... I showed him around, chatted, and then I had to finish my work at hand. After work I went home.... I wanted to be by myself, but Caleb asked if he could stop over.

For an unknown reason, I gave up on Netflix and invited him over. So thankful I did. Tonight I was able to finally open up about myself, and it was only the beginning. He told me not to write everything on this blog, and I agree. This blog isn't for the gritty details about what truly scares me, saddens me, and what I secretly think. It's not the wikipedia of Derek Niemchick. It's not the scoop or gossip on me, it's just a recollection of the day's memorable events and happenings I encounter. Thats what this is for. It's for me. Caleb pointed this out, and he gave me some gifts, one being a very cool hardbound journal, that I can truly write in, and express myself, without censoring or playing to the reader. This journal is the key to my redemption. I plan on writing everything down in it, and then maybe the week after, praying over it or sharing it with whoever I feel led to.

I can say this though, that now, I am on the road to freedom. 2012 couldn't have come soon enough. I feel like I've only let the tip of the iceberg out. I trust Caleb a lot, and consider him a great friend. Thanks for the gifts. To my readers, and to myself, when I read this again, today is the day I  began to trust. 2012 I will let go. Above all of this, I'm thankful God hasn't given up on me yet. I've failed him to the dust this year, but not anymore.

- Rise -

Day 122

With only hours to spare before we would have to go home, My cousins and I bolted for the car and sped off to Westfield Mall in Toledo, where a last minute shopping excursion awaited us.

What started as an innocent day turned into a debacle of sorts as Cameron accidentally walked out of Gap with a mannequin hand. Until we realized what he had done, (which was 15 minutes later), I deemed it garbage, and safe to continue (some of the family would disagree with that decision, but what family is a unison-nodding Waltons?) On the way back home, we stopped at McDonalds, which was NOT selected by me this time. I vouched for something healthy, but two against one.... I lost.

After my number 4 meal and navigating back through Toledo traffic, we made it home, only to leave again for home. We stopped at my great grandparent's house, which are the last living great grandparents of mine. My great grandpa has still been rocking, even considering the fact that he's been in and out of hospitals frequently, and has an oxygen machine attached to him. We talked to them for an hour and then departed for home.

Because I am a good communicator, a great son, and a devious manipulator, I was able to get my parents to pull off at Tanger Outlets. Gosh darn you J. Crew, quit taking my money!!!!

Got home later, showered, cleaned up, and then watched the season finale of Dexter! Good season, great ending, although still not as good as the 1st and 2nd seasons. Afterwards, Caleb and I took the gals out to a late night dinner, and then got thank you massages and yoga stretching afterwards.

Not a bad weekend, if I do say so myself.

- Great Grandpa and I -

Day 121

Monroe, MI. No snow, cept for say, light, light, scare and slightly invisible snow water, that fell for a stint of four hours.

Before the family arrived at my grandmother's, I took my dads vehicle and booked it to the Gap outlet which is only about two miles from her house. It is also, the only outlet store around her house. I snagged a pair of fingerless gloves for $1.80, then headed out to Monroe's tiny mall to run errands for the family before more family arrived. I picked up some cards and what not, then returned to grandmas.

When I got back, the crowd was there. My Uncle Mike, Aunt Allison, Mikey, his girlfriend Rochelle, Jason, Cam, Kelsey, Colleen, Jim, plus my Aunt Kathy, Stephanie, her daughter Gabby, and my grandparents, my Uncle Fred, and my family. Full house, much love. We had such a plethora of food, there were leftovers for everyone. Guacamole, chips, ham, cole slaw, bourbon chicken, pasta, the list goes on. Talked with family, open gifts, etc. My grandma got a Roomba, which was a treat to see in action. The men named it Jose, and Jose did fine work. Got under chairs, under beds, and when his battery is low, he goes back to his station to recharge himself. That's an impressive robot. I couldn't help but have feelings for him. At one point, I felt bad when he got trapped after someone opened a door and pinned him in. "Poor Jose.... leave him alone!".... it's a robot Derek.....

Watched the original Walton's film "The Homecoming", and ended a darn good Saturday.

- Family X-Mas, Monroe *Ethan, what the heck are you doing?* -

Day 120

It's Friday, Friday, getting down on Friday!!!

Derek's really looking forward to going to Monroe for the weekend, weekend!

Friday! Friday! Get to drive my dads car there on Friday! Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun out of town Christmas weekend!

iPod in the front seat, J . Crew shirt hanging in the back seat, blueberries and pretzel bites accompanying me.

It's Friday, Friday! Had to work this Friday! But it was a night shift and it went by fast, so now here comes the weekend!

Melissa took me to the Muppets, we got lots of popcorn! Real butter is the devil! Then I bought us Jimmy Jonh's! Friday! Friday! This blog post is LAAAMMMEE!!! But I don't care cause it's my blog and its the weekend!

- Friday -

Day 119

This is what freedom looks like. Waking up without an alarm, without work, and without school on your mind. This is Christmas break from GVSU, and I thoroughly enjoy this feeling.

I stayed hibernated in my room this morning for a good two hours. I scanned eBay, skyped with Pat, but my favorite highlight was actually getting to play the PS3. If you've been following this, the previous months were littered with time spent on the Sony sucker. Lately, with work and school, I haven't had time to so much as see a movie or turn on Netflix, let alone play a game. I spent the entire day relaxing, having a mini "electronic holiday". I played around on my tablet, updated some iMac software, just did an array of things.

Sucked up so much time that 4:00 came and it was almost time to head to work. I ran and grabbed dinner for me and my brother and we watched the 1960's Batman movie... yes, the really cheesy one where Batman has blue underwear and horns the size of a small kitten, and the Riddler has a huge bulge where his..ahem.... question mark dangles. Yes, this cheesy classic is just what I needed before going off to work. Well, that and Judge Judy. Holy tacky television Batman!

Work was a breeze, trained Anna, the newer girl, and then after work, I was fortunate to catch up with a great friend. Enter Melissa Suchowolec. (I feel I'm friends with a few Melissa's, so last names help distinguish). I've known Melissa for awhile, I think 5-6 years. We went to the same high school, and through the weaving of life, I ended up dating one of her friends, and we would see each other from time to time. Tonight, we got to catch up at B-Dubs. She normally is at Western so hang out time is limited to usually the number of fingers on my right hand in a year. We caught up, but mainly, it was refreshing to just talk to someone who, in my opinion, gets it, get's life, & has a clear head. She's someone who I can talk to without having the politics, drama, emotions, or biases I so often get in life from others. Her and I are nowhere near perfect, but we know where we have to go. We talked about regrets, and how I have none, and the only way to truly have regrets, is to not take risks. People will regret the stuff they haven't done, not the stuff they've done. She's a great girl, I'm glad to be able to have her to talk to when I can, and call her a friend. I feel blessed knowing there's someone else out there who is going through what I am still going through, and we keep our heads up, always moving forward, not looking back, living ahead, until the day you die.

Thanks Melissa. I promise I'm not earning brownie points, this is normal routine for a introduction to the blog.

- Melissa and I -

Day 118

This morning was victorious. I woke up, had some jasmine tea, and sat in the kitchen with breakfast next to my mom and finished my shopping (except for my sister). It took a good hour, but I searched the far ends of the internet and other sites until I could find what I was looking for.

Mike came over around lunch and we had Jimmy John's to eat. I stuck with my usual choice and ordered the number 12. After lunch, I pounded out my final boss of a project before leaving for GVSU to turn it in. The whole way I couldn't beat traffic. Cars going slow, trucks, trains, slow people in line at the gas station holding me up so I couldn't buy my energy drink.... augh! I sprinted into the classroom only to find the teacher smiling at me. "Derek, this is due anytime between 4-6." Great... all that speeding, all that chaos, all the wasted money I just put in the meter... for nothing!!! It's like God was saying "Just trust me, stop being so angry... you'll be fine".

Stopped at Plato's Closet on the way back and talked with my old work friends, and saw Gavin as well again. The constant run ins with him make me smile. After Plato's I went into work, where I was just able to make the work meeting, and then run my shift from 6-10PM. And yes, even after leaving at 10, the weather is still almost 50, very nice, my fall jacket does me just fine.

After work Mike and I met up with Chad and Sam and a slew of other people downtown at Friday's for Lindsey's going away party. We had some long islands at Friday's, then moved over to Hopcat, where me and Mike split crack fries. We didn't say too long, mainly because I didn't know hardly anyone there, and I was tired., but not tired for a blog picture!

- Some friends at HopCat -