how did i end up here?

Perfect Timing

Just when I think my homesickness is too much to bear...a package arrives or someone calls and says just the right words or someone comes to visit me. These last two weeks have been really hard for me. I miss having my family around a Christmas time. There's so much here to see and I just wish I could show it all to them. I know their faces would just light up with excitement...I know mine does. A few weeks ago I got a package from my mom...it had some of my hoodies in it. Plus she sent me another box...the other box had some of my Christmas decorations in it!! AND AND it had a DVD of Miracle on 34th St. (the new one). For those of you who do not know me, this is my favorite Christmas movie and I can literally quote it line for line! I've already watched it 4 times. What a great day! The next day I got a package from Monga (my grandmother). I go to the Methodist Church Thanksgiving dinner every year with Monga and Ponga. I come from a small town where everyone knows everyone and going with Monga and Ponga is like going to the Homecoming dance with the Prom King and Queen. They know EVERYONE!! It's so fun and one of the highlights of the holiday season. Another reason to go to the Methodis Church Thanksgiving dinner is Mr. Whitten's peanut brittle. Mind you, I am not a peanut brittle fan...but Mr. Whitten makes the most heavenly concoction of sugar and peanuts and kyro syrup my lips have ever tasted. I also look forward to the peanut brittle every year. So, in my abscence, Monga bought an extra bag of brittle and mailed it to me...with a note attached saying only, "We missed you." I missed it too! I got another package from my Mom and Aspen the day before Thanksgiving. (She's a package sending MACHINE!!) In it was a cinnamon roll scented candle and mosiac candle holder, some festive post-it notes and the White Christmas DVD. It was a great Thanksgiving present!

And, as if it couldn't get any better...Chyanne, my best friend, came to see me for Thanksgiving. It was so good to see her! Our friendship has lasted through many changes and many years. While we did meet in high school, we didn't actually become friends until after graduation. But when it clicked, it just clicked. I don't know what I'd do without her...she's been my rock for many years, and many problems. Plus, we couldn't be any more different. She works very hard on her parents dairy everyday, while I prefer not to get dirty and work at a desk all day. She loves the country, I love the city. I could go on and on about our differences, but you get the point. I was so glad she was here for my first holiday away from home. She made Thanksgiving-sans-the-family much more bearable. While things didn't go exactly as I had planned, we did have a good time. But we would've had a good time regardless of what we were doing. The weather was miserable most of the time she was here...then on the day she left, it got up to 65! Plus, I haven't been sick since April...but when do I get sick? The day Chyanne gets here!! Ugh, I can't win! It was so good to see her and just catch up on hours of girl talk. I loved every second of it!

We went to Thanksgiving at Lisa's Mother-in-laws house. It was nice, but definitely different than I usually spend Thanksgiving. It felt more like dinner at a friends house than Thanksgiving lunch with close family. We both decided it was better that way. I think I would've missed my family even more, had it felt anything like any Thanksgiving with my family. So, while it was not how I normally spend the day, it was a nice change and it was nice to have my best friend there to share it with. Thanks for coming, Chyanne! I can't wait to do the whole week over again...hopefully sooner rather than later!

posted by taiautumn @ 9:23 AM