Merry Christmas!

Hello all! Today my blogging comes to you from good ol' Bucks County, PA, where I am happily holed up until Tuesday or so. It's so nice to come home every now and then...

Anyway, first of all, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! I hope everyone had an absolutely fantastic holiday with plenty of joy and good cheer. I know I did, and it's not really over yet.

Many of you don't know that it is only in recent years that my family has started to value Christmas traditions. In fact, this is only the third year since I was VERY young that we've had a Christmas tree! Now, many of you will say that Christmas silliness doesn't matter and that family and all that is what really matters. And, I mostly agree. But, having family traditions I think gives even more meaning to what you already have, so I am very appreciative for all that we have and do.

In our family, we do just as my grandparemts did and decorate our tree on Christmas Eve. Yes, it's late, but it's fun :) We put on Christmas music (which I learned a few years ago must apparently be things like Handel's Messiah and not include any Elvis) and then we trim the tree and finally add the star, taking a few breaks during to eat the family's famous chocolate mint cookies. We also of course go to church on Christmas Eve, although we decided to skip the usual late service for 7:00 service this year. I only wish when I came home my church stayed the same. It has changed sooo much in the last few years that I barely realize I'm in the same place I grew up.

But this year's service was unique, because I actually got to see people I haven't seen in years, and that's always fun. I think the weirdest spotting, though, was my high school ex's sister... When I saw her I did a double take! And, it turned out her parents were there, and I really don't think I've seen any of them since high school at least, but they were all still as ridiculously loving and friendly as they were then. Very weird. Josh, meanwhile, was with his brother and their wives' families (they married sisters!) And, both couples are expecting. Life is crazy sometimes. He hadn't really dated anyone either between me and her. Joel is also married now to the girl he dated after me. This is starting to get a little weird. It's been kind of a weird ex week anyway, because after my horrendous date on Saturday, I have started to think back through old relationships-- it's kind of like- with horrible choices like this, why couldn't I make relationships work with people I actually click with?! Now some (like Joel) I have no desire to ever even think about rekindling, but you get what I mean. I guess eventually the right one will come along, right? It's weird, though, because honestly I don't even feel like I'm ready to settle down right now. And, if I date someone, I certainly don't want to make it serious until I know it's something I really want. But, at the same time, I talk to my old friends and hear about their husbands and their kids and all, and sometimes it's hard not to wonder whether I'm inside or outside the norm. I guess I'm just gonna keep going with the flow and see what happens.

In other issues, my aunt told me tonight that I am getting a Southern accent! WHAT?! NO!!!! lol. She couldn't tell me exactly what I said that did it, but still. This may be something I have to work on. I am a PHILLY girl dammit! Not that I don't love VA Beach and all, but I figure at this point in my life I am pretty transient. So, even though I could be living just about anywhere, I will ALWAYS be from Philly, and that's how I plan to keep it :Þ

Anyway, I hope all of you have great Christmas breaks. I would of course love to hear about all the things you guys are doing and what family traditions you guys have and all. We are going to visit my Dad's side of the family tomorrow, including my Aunt who is visiting from California, so that should be a blast. I am also planning on catching up with Adam and hopefully Yvonne while I'm home, which is always one of my favorite things about being here. If you happen to be reading this and are also in the area right now, give me a ring! :) In between the relaxing and the catching up, my brother and I are planning on getting cheesesteaks and visiting the Italian market in South Philly, my dad and I will be gymming, and of COURSE I will be visiting Macy's! If I get in a mood I will probably also be doing some KoPing. woohoo! So, even though I always end up running around on my vacations, I am absolutely loving the break from both the daily grind and work itself. I hope you are also all having the same fun!!!

Well, I am off to break up the latest cat fight (having 4 cats in the same house is probably not the best idea!), so I am off for now. Plus, after that I have lots of iPod importing to do (woohoo!). If I don't blog again, I will see you all Tuesday when I get home :)

g'night, God bless, and Merry Christmas.