Let me start by saying it was wonderful to go home for Christmas. I wish I could have stayed longer, but my parents should be coming out some time this month to celebrate my birthday. Because both of our families live in Butler, we had to divide our time between them. We flew home on the twenty-second, and as our flight didn't arrive until late at night, we just went back to Josh's family home. His grandparents live next door and were visiting his aunt in Jacksonville, so we stayed at their house for the days we were with his family.
The next morning, his parents had scheduled an optometrist appointment for him at halfpast nine, so we had to be up early for that. His dad had taken the day off, so he drove us to the optometrist. While we were waiting for Josh's new glasses to be made, we went across the street and ate at Arby's. We then picked up his glasses and went to see
The Tale of Despereaux, which Josh's parents paid for. I've not read the film, so I can't compare the two, but I found the film enjoyable and cute, which is what I expected from it. Perhaps if Sylvain Chomet had been kept on the project it would have resulted in something more profound, but I liked it all the same.
After the film, we relaxed at his parents' house for a bit before my hair appointment. Josh roamed the mall while I had my hair cut, then we went home and ate shepherd's pie and Yorkshire pudding!
The next day was Christmas Eve, and Josh's family spent most of it at the mall buying last-minute gifts while we watched Christmas specials on Cartoon Network. We had steak for dinner, and afterwards, Josh and I opened our presents before his parents took us over to my house on their way to mass. My parents couldn't remember whose ornament belonged to whom, so they hadn't decorated the tree yet, leaving me to sort them all out, which I did. We then put up our ornaments, though my dad never got around to putting his on.
We had Christmas at eight in the morning, followed by breakfast and a screening of
Wall-E, which I received. After the movie, we all took turns getting our showers before heading over to my grandmother's house in Saxonburg. As usual, it was rather dull, and she was especially pushy about us eating her food this year.
When we came home, we watched some more movies, which my brother had brought with him from South Carolina, ate dinner, and watched more movies. I can't remember the order in which we watched the various films, but over the course of our stay we watched
The Pursuit of Happyness,
Meet the Robinsons,
Flushed Away, and
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
On Friday, my mum and I went to return a few items and also purchased a futon mattress, as the inflatable mattress my brother had been sleeping on was most uncomfortable. Aside from that, it was a day of relaxing and movie-watching. Josh's parents took us to see
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button that night, which Josh and I both liked, but his parents did not.
Saturday was the family Christmas party at my aunt Joy's house, which is always a good time. I liked seeing all of my relatives, and most were very nice about my job situation, even offering suggestions. I was called a kid by a four year old, which was sort of depressing, but my dad didn't blow up and the grab-bag game didn't result in any disasters this year.
Sadly, we had to leave on Sunday. We ate lunch at Eat'n' Park with Josh's parents, then my parents took us to the airport. The snow had melted while we were away, so at least we didn't have to lug our suitcases through the snow like we did on the way home. I was sad to go so soon, which is why it's so great that my parents are coming to visit.
Since my return home, not much has been going on. I've applied for bunches of jobs, one of which is at a children's store. I am quite excited about the possibility of working there, so I went in yesterday. The girl at the store said they were going to start going through the resumes this upcoming week, and when I told her mine contained an anecdote about turtles and stuffed monkeys, she said she would look for it. I am hopeful that they will consider me.
Josh is currently in Pittsburgh visiting his friends. He said he would call when he arrived, but he never did. He had better call tonight. I'll be very mad if he doesn't.
While he's been gone, I've just been watching movies most of the day. Tomorrow is the monthly casual meet-up, so I have to be up early to get ready and make sure I get there in time. This month it's at a different apartment, so I'm not sure how long it will take to get there. At least I'll see some people tomorrow, instead of holing myself in here with Kenny and old movies.
Here's my Christmas list from this year:
From My Parents:
$150
$25 Barnes & Noble gift card
Nintendo DS
Mario Kart DS
Nintendogs Dalmatian & Friends
Disgaea DS
Winter boots
Wool coat
A bunch of socks & pretty underthings
An artificial Christmas tree
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis
Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor
Fables Vol. 10 & 11
From My In-Laws:
The flight home
A Disney princess charm bracelet watch
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
The Once and Future King by T. H. White
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
From My Brother:
Wall-E
Fraggle Rock Season 3
The Muppet Show Seasons 2 & 3
Pinky and the Brain Season 2
From My Brother-in-law:
Princess Aurora jewelry box
From My Grandmother:
Cocoa
From Josh's Grandparents:
$50
From My Aunt Barbe:
Asian cookbook
From My Aunt Joy:
$25 Olive Garden gift card
cinnamon candle
From My Aunt Dawn:
local cookbook
From My Great Aunt Debby:
$30 Red Lobster gift card
From My Great Aunt Eleanor:
$20