Oh I have way too much stuff in my apartment!! I know I have so much stuff to do and I don't know where to start. I guess starting anywhere is better than sitting back and not doing something. Anyways, Joe said he would try to help me so two minds are better than one. :) My deadline is 3 weeks... can I do it?
My Thanksgiving break was great and flew by too quickly. I think I spent 1/3 of my trip in the car, but I'm not complaining. It was totally worth all the driving to see family and friends. I was able to see my step-dad whom I haven't seen since the beginning of July, but I also saw his parents whom I haven't seen in probably 4-5 years. We were never what you would call close (they never came to visit us and Dad never went to visit them). So it was good, but a little awkward at first.
I also was able to spend time with Barbara and that was so awesome. I miss her a lot. We went "shopping" on Saturday but didn't buy anything, and saw the sequel to Bridget Jones' Diary in the theater. It's such a cute and hilarious movie (though the language was a little extreme at times). But we had a blast, even on Wed. night when we just hung out talking at Starbucks, sipping coffee... even though it will never be the same, it was almost like 5 years ago when we would spend hours and hours at Starbucks, drinking coffee and talking about everything, everyone, and where our lives were going. I always thought that I would find myself sitting in the coffee shop, thinking about the past, and being sad that I'd grown away from that time, that mentality, and that whimsical disregard for common sense, reason, and wisdom. But instead I felt amazed at my ability to grow up and change, yet still feel so comfortable and content sitting in the coffee shop I've been frequenting for years, sipping my delicious addiction, and talking with my oldest and dearest friend about everything, everyone, and where our lives are going. I realize now how in that moment, everything was different and still exactly the same. Which made it very appropriate that Dave came in with his sister while we were there... I guess no matter where life takes us, there are some things that will always remain.
Yesterday I was able to fight the New Jersey traffic and make it up to visit and have dinner with Joe, Karen, and their grandmother. What a fantastic cook! (not that I had thought otherwise, but now I have first hand experience) We had a great time, talking and laughing, and Grandma Voltaggio tells the best stories about when her kids and grandkids were children. I'm definitely glad that I went.
Well, it's going to be a hectic week, but the weekend will be here soon. ;)
Ciao! Click here for the SUB squirrel chase!
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Monday, 11/22/2004
Today is my step-father's birthday, but I'd completely forgotten about it until Thursday night when he called me and mentioned that amazingly he had off from work on his birthday. Yeah, I'll call him, but there's no point in sending him a card or picking out a gift... he doesn't care about those things, says they're a waste of time to him. My biological father's birthday was in October and I didn't remember his birthday until the actual day. But I couldn't have contacted him because I have no current phone number or address for him. He's living in W. Va. somewhere, working in Md. a lot... yeah. I always remember my mother, brother, grandmother, closest friends... I guess that goes to show what kind of relationship I have with my fathers.
Anyways, I went to New Jersey this weekend to visit my aunt, uncle, and two cousins. It was kinda random though because they're so busy that when I come to visit it's a whirlwind of activity that I just sort of get thrown into. Joe was working on his paper all week but finished by Sat. so he drove to his house in Jersey and met me at my aunt's house for dinner Sat. night. They seemed to like Joe a lot and appeared to be very impressed by him, that was good. I went to mass with Joe Sun. morning and also saw/visited with Karen for a little bit afterwards. I headed back to New York on Sun. and ended up unpacking 3 or 4 more boxes. Now I have a pile of stuff in the middle of my living room floor, but I also have a bigger pile of stuff by my front door of things to give to Goodwill. I've gotten hooked on watching Sabrina, Teenage Witch whenever it happens to be on. Like last night, there was an all night marathon on so I watched it while unpacking boxes. It's a feel good show and that's why I'm hooked.
I'm very happy that I'm going home this week for Thanksgiving, I need some comfortable family time. I'm leaving NY Wed.. morning and driving back to Md. I have some errands to run when I get there, but then Mom, Sean, and I will drive to my grandmother's house in Va. We're having 16 people for Thanksgiving dinner... Grandma, Mom, Sean, me, my great uncle Jimmy and great aunt Liz, my cousin James, his girlfriend Pam, and his three kids (Cory, Kaitlin, and Austin), my cousin Marie, and her four kids (Erin, David, Sarah, and Amanda). My cousin Marie's husband Ron won't be there because he's currently stuck in Bahrain and probably won't be able to come back until after Jan. 1 when his new orders are cut. But I realized this morning how much I really want to see my family. I miss them and I miss being around people that have known me since I was born and that I can be myself around, who love me and accept me for who I am, just because I'm their family. I guess since I've moved away, I've learned to appreciate my family even more (or at least the family that hasn't destroyed my respect for them). My brother has to work Sat. morning so we're driving back to Md. Friday night. I'll probably drive back to NY on Sat. evening because I've heard that the NJ Turnpike on the Sun. after Thanksgiving is the absolute worst traffic nightmare you could ever imagine. Karen invited me to dinner Sun. in Jersey, so I'll be making a special trip just for the ocassion... she's definitely worth it!
I get to spend the next couple evenings with Joe and I'm very very happy about that. It's been an adjustment moving so close to him after getting used to being so far away, but I think we're finally getting the hang of it. I wouldn't trade this time together for anything in the world.
Well, gotta go and check up on the kids.
Ciao!