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.