The Holiday Season

I'm finally back, after an incredibly long hiatus. In these past few weeks, I have been insanely busy. I finished out the semester with a strong 3.4 GPA, which is my best ever, I might add =). I also finished the Christmas season with my sanity intact.

The worst part about the season is the shopping, by far. There is nothing worse than trying to shove your way through mobs of soccer moms trying to get their children the best of everything, only to wait in endless lines. And after repeating this over and over and over, it's time to attempt to leave. Instead of leaving, there are only long lines of traffic that go on for infinity.

But when all of that stupidity is over, it's time for the fun parts. I had more than my share of family, friends and booze this week. It gets frustrating to run from here to there to everywhere else, but I'm glad I have so many people in my life to spend the holidays with.

My holiday visiting fun began last Saturday, when I celebrated the holiday with all of my relatives from my dad's side of the family. I saw my cousin's new baby for the first time and remembered that I'm really not too fond of children, especially babies. However, I did get to see one of the few children I actually like -- my only other cousin under the age of ten . He's hillarious. The kid never stops, and he gives more hugs than anyone.

After that celebration, I went over to an aunt and uncle's house for some home-made egg nog and wine. As usual, it was a fun time. These relatives are always good for an interesting conversation.

Christmas Eve started with hectic packing after my best friend called and told me she was on her way up from Milwaukee, and that we should get together for lunch/coffee. I had a half-hour to gather all of my presents, clothes and supplies for the next few days.

I haven't seen this friend since my birthday, so it was quite the pleasant call. We met up at a local 24-hour breakfast place in Oshkosh and exchanged gifts. Part of my present was a hillarious reminder of my birthday-- a crisp, new, un-torn Milwaukee phonebook. How it remained untouched from my birthday is far beyond me. But we both had a great laugh.

Then it was off to burn a few hours before I would eventually end up the night at my parents'. I stopped by to visit assorted relatives in Oshkosh that I had yet to visit. I lost track of time visiting my Aunt Kathy and cousin Robin, and stayed there for much longer than I had intended. My parents called quite a few times telling me they wanted me over there ASAP, as my sisters were getting anxious to open presents and they wouldn't be allowed until I showed up.

As is tradition on Christmas Eve, my sisters and I exchanged our gifts with each other and opened one from our parents. I opened the one and only thing I wanted this year - season 9 of Seinfeld. I spent the rest of the night watching dvd's, drinking beer and wine, and engaging in general merriment with my immediate family. A few hours later, I fell asleep on Katelyn's bed while watching Full House and drinking too much wine.

Katelyn woke me up at 7:45 a.m. to open the rest of our gifts. My one large gift from my parents was to end Andrew's and my month-long dishes strike. They bought me a counter-top dishwasher. We won't have to eat off of paper plates any longer!

Then it was off to the in-laws for more eating, drinking and being merry. Luckily, my in-laws are all pretty cool, so it was a pleasant experience. I don't think I have ever had as much to drink without being drunk as I did those two days. I spent the night in Ripon with the in-laws and returned to work and business as usual this evening.

My holidays were far from unusual, but it was a good time. As much as I love all of themerriment, it is nice to be in my own apartment, by myself, with absolutely nothing to do.

The next week or so

I haven't had much time to update, so my apologies to the (maybe) three people that read this. It is the final two weeks of the semester, so I have been rediculously busy. My grades are awesome this semester, and I'd like to keep it that way. I'll write more once my last final has been finished and my last project turned in.

The Winter Storm Warning

Today marked the first big snow storm of the season. The entire state, and most of the surrounding states were under a winter storm warning all day. I was lucky enough to be required to drive through most of it. My job is such that requires me to drive for most of my shift. I must drive in rain or shine, snow or not snow. We only stop on majour holidays. It is kind of like being a post(wo)man, except we must drive on Sundays.


I also have the pleasure of driving the car pictured here, except mine is purple and therefore better. One can only imagine the adventure I had.

I could not stop for a second without nearly getting stuck. At every stop sign, red light and delivery, I had to shove my car back and forth before I would move again. It was a headache, literally and figuratively.

After my intital frustration, it became kind of fun to drive on the deserted roads. Rarely would there be another car in sight, so it didn't matter where I was on the road. I felt free to stop directly in the road, mostly because I did not want to get stuck in a stranger's driveway.

Still, the highlight of my night was when the snow began to taper off and the work of the plows started to truly show. This was also when people stopped wanting our products delivered to their homes, which meant that I could go home. It was wonderful.



It makes me sad to know that this is the first of many snow storms in the next 6 months. This IS Wisconsin, so that is not an exaggeration. I'm sure there have been many years where there has been snow on the ground on 1 May. I should be used to it by now. I have lived in Wisconsin all of my life, but still I cry a little on the first snow storm of every year.

There is no denying that it is officially winter. There is snow on the ground and it is December. I can't lie to myself anymore. The next few months will be rough. I hope this ends sooner than later.

Here's what the local newspaper had to report on this event:http://http://postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071201/APC0101/712010455