Social Security?

Today I received a letter in the mail from the Social Security Administration. 

I wondered what it could possibly be, since I'm 24 and not retiring soon nor have I lost my most recent social security card.  I think my credit and everything associated with my number is fine.  It turns out it is just my "Social Security Statement."  Okay.  That's nice of them. 

First off, I didn't know they had my current address.  I guess my bank has it, and that's probably how the SS administration got it.  If not, that's weird.  Also, this is the first time they've sent me such information.  They tell me that to get retirement benefits, I have to have 40 credits.  And I currently have 22.  So my plan for early retirement is working!!  except that I'd get less that $700 a month... hm...  maybe this isn't a good plan.... 

They also outlined how benefits would go if I become disabled or die.  There are different qualifications for the "survivors" to receive payments.  One of these is if I'm divorced, my ex-spouse could be eligible for widow's benefits.  That's ashame.  That kinda beats the point of getting divorced.  Even if I die, she still gets money from me? 

That's about all for now.  I need to be working on final papers and studying for final exams.  Instead of watching movies and being on the internet....  : )

Quote This

"If I had one gift that I could give you, my friend, it would be the ability to see yourself as others see you, because only then would you know how extremely special you are."

-B.A. Billingsly

I found this quote the other day. I like this quote. It's often hard to remember this and try to have the perspective of others. Even then it's hard sometimes to believe that.

But knowing that there's at least a handful of people out there who care about me, without judging, people that I don't have to try to impress or win over, that is what's great.  If you're one of those people, thanks.  Really.

Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was fun. I went to the Seattle area. My brother and his wife live there. So do their two young children. Funny how that works....

It's becoming a Thanksgiving tradition for me to celebrate the holiday with them. Of the past 4 Thanksgivings that I've been in the US, it's been with them. 3 times were at their house (once in California, twice in Washington) and one time at home in Wisconsin.

Their kids are cute. Allie always makes faces for the camera. Boden is pretty cool, too. Since I'm a college guy, I don't have kids in my life very often, and that's a shame. I need a larger dosage of kids. That reminds me: I often walk past a certain building on campus where parents come to pick up their kids from what I assume is a daycare program. It's nice seeing the children with their parents, hearing the parents ask how the children's day was, and hearing the excitement in the kids' voices. Kids are good. Except when they scream.

Boden sounds like he's crying sometimes, but he's actually laughing. I had to look at his face to be sure.

So. I'm really glad I got to see them. We didn't go out or go anywhere fancy (although Alex, Boden and I went camping Friday with the Scouts) but it was great anyway! Running all over the city everyday wouldn't have been fun.

The Right Song

Sometimes I hear a song that just hits me. It's not just the lyrics or just the music. But combined they connect with me. I really like songs like that. Since the song is written by someone, it obviously doesn't necessarily represent my life. But I understand them. One song in particular that I like is Starlight, by Muse. I've recently discovered it, thanks to one of my roommates. There are others. But today, it's this one.

Here's a link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgum6OT_VH8