Ode to Dr. Portugal and God's Waiting Room

No, that's not my eye surgeon/doctor's real name, but for the longest time Jake and I couldn't pronounce "Loporchio" so that's just what we called him. Not to his face of course. The funniest thing about going to visit him is that the waiting room is SO small and it is always full of people. Old people. Don't get me wrong - I have nothing against old people - and most of my extended family is over the age of 70, and my paternal grandma is 97, so it's not weird for me to be around old people, but I think this waiting room is special. Because, as I called it a few weeks ago, it is "God's Waiting Room."

There is always someone that is talking wwwwwaaaaaaaaayyyyyy louder than everyone else. I thought everyone knew not to be extra loud in a waiting room, but apparently some of these Rhode Islanders have missed that memo. Usually it is about something mundane. For example, the lady today was talking about how two days ago she had regular coffee at 6 in the evening instead of decaf and how she was up all night and was really tired the next day. I am not a rude person, but I do NOT care to hear about that, just the same as she probably doesn't care that I played Nintendo the other night and was sad there was not a new Top Chef on.

I like to think that Jake and I break up the monotony of Dr. Portugal's day. I have never seen anyone close to my age in the office, besides the nurses (if they are nurses, the ladies that take his notes. They have scrubs on, so maybe?) We are always in a good mood, we joke around with him, and in general don't need a walker or a hearing aid. Even when Jake joked about whittling me an eye out of wood he realized that he really wasn't going to do it. Overall the appointment went great - everything looks good, the eye is healing well - I'm just waiting for this stupid gas bubble to go down so I can go back work.

Ahh work. I am worried about going back. They might hold the position for me, they might not. Either way they have SOMETHING for me for a year, which is nice. I have no idea when my disability is going to end, and I am definitely worried about that. If/when that happens I am going to be up shit creek without a paddle. I guess I don't really miss work that much, not like I would if I was back in Illinois with the amazing people back there, but I do miss it in the sense that I want something to do, and I would like a full paycheck. I don't know what I would do if I actually lost my job - I have worked for Sam's for over five years now and I am pretty integrated into their culture. I imagine that I would try to find a bartending job somewhere, because I loved doing that part time in Champaign, but I have no idea if anyone is hiring. I guess I shouldn't worry that much - as of right now everything is on hold for me.

For the next week I am anxiously awaiting my glorious return to Champaign and my two favorite bars there - Illini Inn and Tumble Inn. And seeing my family, friends and just being HOME. Somewhere where I just feel comfortable even if I don't know anyone around me. Ahh, Illinois how I miss you. I know this week will go by extremely slow and my time home will go by extremely fast, but I still can't wait! The pic is from the Illini Inn Christmas Party last year. Aww, how I miss these folks!