I'm So Excited!

Nine days until we move! We're preparing for *B*'s sister, brother-in-law, and nephew to come in from Germany tomorrow. The only bad thing - I have to stay at school until around 8 pm for the second round of back-to-school night. And I don't even know if parents will show up! All I can hope for is someone being there so that I don't waste my time by staying.

I'm having a tough time deciding what to do. I dated someone for seven years before I dated *B*. I ran into his cousin, and I heard that his dad wasn't well. So I emailed his mom to send my condolences. I'd really like to talk to him again, but he hasn't made any move to talk to me. It would absolutely be platonic - I have no residual feelings. But it's been almost two years since I've seen him, and I'd like to catch up with him. The question is: do I sever all ties and try to put my old life out of my mind, or do I reconnect to see how he's doing? In the end, I'd like to be friends, but I don't know if that could ever happen. Our mutual friends say he's not well, what with his dad and a bunch of other issues going on. Both options have pros and cons, and I really don't know what to do. This decision has a deadline - his birthday is in less than a week, and I decided that if I try to talk to him again, I would email him happy birthday (which I did last year as well).

I'd really like to learn to pray better. Recently (and before my agnostic stint), my prayer has been either pre-scripted (e.g. faculty prayer meetings, Our Father) or stilted. Usually, I stumble through thanking Him for family, friends, shelter, jobs, and reliable cars. Occasionally, I'll ask Him for something (getting this house!) or thank Him for something I've needed and received (getting a mortgage approval!). While I know there's no absolutely right way to pray, how should it be done? How does one pray effectively? When does it become natural?