THOU SHALL NOT TRY ME

Earlier this year when my family was visiting, we went to Detroit. We passed some t-shirt vendors, and one caught our eye, "Thou Shall Not Try Me -Me 24/7." For a second, I thought about buying a shirt, but I thought better of it.

Fast-forward to Christmas. Inside my stocking, I found a beautiful yeti coffee mug. When I turned it over, I was met with a customized message that was quite familiar: "Thou Shall Not Try Me -Joshi 247." 

In keeping with the don't mess with me theme, Jos also included several Grinch-themed gifts. 

While no one wishes to be "tried," in 2024, I will try my best to be more patient, flexible, and empathetic and to not feel so "tried." That coffee mug will be a good reminder!

AMY'S

I will always think of Amy's as the first artisan ice cream shop I ever visited. Not a trip to Texas goes by without at least one trip to Amy's, and this last trip was no exception.

Historically, I have always ordered their Mexican Vanilla. However, in the past few years I have found the flavor to be a little too strong and almost chemical in nature. Therefore, this year I mixed it up literally and ordered a combination of Belgian Chocolate + Cold-Pressed Vanilla with a marshmallow crush-in (Yes, 2023 seems to have been the year of the marshmallow for me!). It was delicious, and I sorry we only had a chance to visit once on this trip. Until next time!

HOLD THE NUTS

I have loved ice cream for as long as I can remember, and I have been to countless ice cream shops. On our recent trip to Texas, we visited the frozen custard chain Andi's on several occasions.

Both times, I decided to order a concrete called the "Choc-O-Rocko" made with chocolate custard, marshmallow, and almonds. I have never been a big fun of nuts in food and prefer to eat them separately. Therefore, on both occasions, I asked to "hold the nuts" when I ordered. Both times, the person manning the register did a double take. The first time, the attendant said, "you just want less nuts in it, right?" I clarified that no, I wanted no nuts. They were finally able to figure out a way to make the order.

The second time we visited a different location in the Austin suburbs, and the attendant said that she would just make me a custom concrete with chocolate custard and double marshmallow because it would be easier than holding the nuts. Who knew that holding nuts could be so challenging, but both times I loved my Choc-O-Rocko Minus Nuts!

GAZA

Since October 7, 2023 and the vicious terrorist attack by Hamas, the Mid-East and the entire world have been turned upside down. The seeds of this conflict and the tortured history are far too long and complicated to recount here. What I am concerned with is how we put an end to the terror innocent Israelis and Palestinians feel. Yes, there are innocents on both sides, and then there are the leaders on both sides who are responsible for the attacks on October 7 and the response that has displaced 80% of Palestinian civilians.

I hope that the United States government and other world leaders can apply the pressure necessary to end this conflict. Thomas Friedman of the New York Times has written passionately and prescriptively about ways out. You can find his writing here. 

Let us pray in 2024 that the outrage so many of us feel can be channeled into a lasting peace. We have no other choice and no other way out.

WEMBY

Victor Wembanyama, aka Wemby, has been hyped for some time as one of the top young basketball prospects in the world. Therefore, we jumped at the chance to watch him play with the Spurs when we were visiting San Antonio this week.

The Spurs ended up losing to the Utah Jazz that night. However, it was amazing to see Wemby and some of his moments of brilliance, especially since he was doubtful for the game after sustaining an ankle sprain a few days prior.

Keep an eye on this kid. The sky is the limit!

ABSOLUTION

This was a busy year for me from a work and travel standpoint, so I was not able to read as much as I would have linked to, However, I did manage to fit in a few books. The best book I read in 2023 was "Absolution" by Alice McDermott. 

The novel is set in Saigon in 1963 and centers around the lives of several wives of American businessmen - i.e., military operatives - in Vietnam. In so many ways, the book captures how our our actions, which may be well-intentioned, can have untoward consequences. However, the book asks us to approach these actions with grace, rather than with a critical, unflattering, retrospective point of view. This is not to forgive the characters, but rather to attempt to understand them and their humanity, offering them absolution.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

WHAT'S THE SCOOP?

Since his senior project at Arbor in eighth grade, Nicholas has wanted to be a journalist. That was a big reason he decided to go to the Newhouse School at Syracuse to pursue a degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism. 

He has already written one article for the Daily Orange, the student newspaper, this year. That article focused on Devin Connell, a local soccer goalie who had had a standout season. 

After that article, Nicholas continued to attend the weekly editorial meetings for the Orange even though there were no open beats available. Undeterred, he kept showing up and continued to pitch new ideas. 

This week his persistence and passion were paid off. He was named the Track and Field reporter for the Orange for the upcoming Winter and Spring seasons! 

Yesterday, he spent much of the day researching the team and the events. That is the kind of person he is - someone who goes deep and who wants to tell stories off the beaten path.

I cannot wait to read his dispatches and to learn more about the athletes, their lives, and their sporting events. 

Keep chasing your dream, son! Go 'Cuse and Go Nicholas!