Hello!  This is your friend, Slobo Trbanek, from Tennessee!  I hope this find you well!

I have been trying to work on my writing.  Still hard; English is such a tricky language!  I tend to write like I talk; people think I am strange because I talk funny!  :/  I tell 'em I can't help it; I am learning English; taking English course twice a week at the local high school!

I am looking for work:  my store where I work is closing.  Bad economic times.  I am very sad about this, but I am not going to give up.  I am very determined!  Still, despite that, my life is good; have many blessings from God, who continues to help me.

He brought my girlfriend, Ivanka Petrovich, in my life.  She is originally from the old country; she is learning English too.  I met her at the store I work at.

I go to church every Sunday and on Wednesdays if I don't have to work.  If I work Wednesday then I don't go to church.  Simple as that, no?

I am still waiting on my leg.  Should be coming any time.  Then I can get rid of my crutches for good.  I will be so glad; crutches are nothing but a big bother!

I still have pain in my stump from where my leg used to be, but the pain is starting to go away.  Whoever thought that a little stump could cause so much grief?? 

I sometimes miss having two legs; I miss running, playing soccer, or talking walks.  Maybe I can do that again once I get my new leg, but have to get used to walking on it first!  That will be a while before that can happen.  Until then, I use the crutches.  (Sigh!)

And I have to get used to people staring at me, which makes me uncomfortable.

I had a good Thanksgiving and Christmas:  spent both at my friend Pete's house; my mama came too.  We had a most wonderful time!  For Christmas I got an mp3 player, ear buds for my player, some music CD's, clothes, shoes, underwear, socks, a new winter coat (my old coat got worn out), a new hat, some ties, some cologne so I can smell good for my girlfriend, a new ring, and some gift certificates to local restaurants and even to the local movie house, as well as a new Bible and some books to read before I go to bed at night. 

Now it is past the middle of January, soon to be February.  I then can pop the surprise on Ivanka:  I am thinking of marrying her.  I love her so much!!

I know Ivanka will cry.  She is such a tenderhearted person!  (Like me!  :) )  I will probably cry too! 

Well, I gotta go.  Gonna go back to bed.  I shouldn't be up so early, but I had to write in my journal.  I will write again soon; until then, this is Slobo Trbanek saying so long and God bless!  Talk to you later!

~Slobo.  :)