The Christmas who says Ni
Posted by Gypsy on Dec 28, 2009
Christmas tends to be the same thing for me every year: dealing with airport security, making sure my bags aren’t overweight, waiting out ridiculous delays, happy hellos and tearful goodbyes, and lots of alcohol to make me a little more relaxed for take off. Sure, there is time spent with family, too, but often that gets overwhelmed by the stress of holiday travel. So it was with that in mind that I decided this year I was having Christmas in my own home. If family wanted to spend it with us, they would have to do the traveling for once. And because they are so awesome, my family was up for the challenge.
To kick off the visit right, before my parents and sister arrived we picked up a tree so it would be ready for decorating on the first day. It was then we realized we were sadly lacking in an angel or star for the top of the tree. So we improvised and used something that was a little more our style: a Knight Who Says Ni.
Of course, to match his herring, we decorated the rest of the tree in blue and silver. This part was done once my family arrived and was conducting as usual: with everyone helping at first and by the end only my mom working on it. Personally, I love the look of a tree but hate the actually work of it. Someone needs to start a service that does all that for people who are lazy like me. Until then, I just need to keep my mom around for the holidays.
Most of the trip was spent doing what most people do around the holidays: eating and last-minute Christmas shopping. And really, why not? Everyone was on vacation and needed to relax. Since they were here for a full week, though, there were a few things we made sure we did. Most importantly was the required trip to In N Out. I would’ve taken photos to commemorate my parents first trip to the SoCal jewel, but honestly I was too busy digging into my own double double with just cheese and spread to pay attention to anyone else.
We also took a trip downtown to explore the USS Midway. The Midway is a decommissioned Navy aircraft carrier that has since been turned into a museum. As I had already visited the Midway once before, it wasn’t new for me, but I did get to see a few things I missed out on the first time around, including the ship’s brig and the bridge, where the navigator makes the decisions. I have to say the view from up there is positively amazing and it must be ridiculous impressive to sit up there when the ship is out to sea and all you can see for miles is ocean.
However, no trip to California in winter is complete without a visit to the beach. Since it’s December, it’s still a little too chilly for swimming, but it’s not too bad for a walk. The beach we ended up at was just south of Oceanside as we had gone up there to grab a bite at a Chinese place I love. Luckily for us, it was a perfectly sunny day, which kept it from feeling too chilly and offered some great photo opportunities.
However, the real fun was hosting my very first Christmas. I really dropped the ball on taking photos of this, but picture, if you will, a perfectly roasted tenderloin, creamy mashed potatoes and amazing buttermilk biscuits. Add in some gravy, veggies and apple pie and it was probably one of the best meals I’ve ever cooked. At least somewhere in the top 10.
Alas, all vacations must come to an end. The day after Christmas, after a week here, my parents and sister had to fly back to freezing cold New York. It was really awesome to have them come visit and I had a really great Christmas with them here.
Now it’s time for a nap. I’m still recovering from all that laziness.
Christmas in Iraq
Posted by Gypsy on Jan 1, 2008
I got this in an email from a friend the other day and am reprinting with her permission. Her name is Cathy Neary and she arrived in Iraq just days before Christmas, which means she’ll be spending next Christmas there, too. So please read on and remember that it’s not all about just what you hear on the news.
The Country of Iraq is very dry, cold and well…depressing! The only thing that really reminds us that it is Christmas, would be the defac (dinning facilities) and the MWR centers. Every now and then, you’ll see a small fake Christmas tree in front of someone’s trailer and that is about it.
I really don’t mind being here, as I can see the great impact that, we as Americans have made on the Iraqi’s lives here. We have brought food, shelter, jobs, and most important, a chance for freedom! Something that so few Countries are given. We are helping them see that through hard work and learning how to manage their poor but growing country, they to can enjoy life without the threat of another Saddam trying to take hold of their free will.
The reason Countries hate America, is due to the fact that we are allowed to wear what we please, to merry whom we love, to teach our children what we want them to know, to talk about what we think and do almost anything we want. We can pick the job of our choice, and not worry about how the government will control us. How I can serve my country and do it because I as a person, under my own free will! Have you really sat down and thought about how amazing that is? How wonderful is our country, even with the hate and selfishness wanting to throw us down, we are able to enjoy our freedom? Just thinking about that, makes my choice to serve my wonderful nation worth while!
I just wanted to tell everyone Merry Christmas from the other side of the world.
May you have a blessed one,
Cathy
Happy Birthday Mom
Posted by Gypsy on Dec 26, 2006
For years I’ve been telling my mom I’m going to get her a tattoo. She’s always wanted one, even though she’d never admit it, but could never justify the expense. Who would pay someone to inject ink under you skin? The last few times I’ve told her I’m going to get her one, she’s countered by telling me that I always say that but never come through. So today, mom, me and my sister Samantha went to Extreme Graphix out in Geneva and my mom and I got ourselves tattooed (Samantha is too young). We both got symbols for Capricorn, which is our sign, though my mom went a little flashier than I.
The first stroke:
Outline:
Coloring it in:
More of the color:
And fin:
And of course here is mine:
Shopping blind
Posted by Gypsy on Dec 24, 2006
There’s a tradition my family takes part in every year that is always the highlight of my Christmas season. On Christmas Eve, my immediate family gets together to celebrate my mom’s birthday, which is Christmas day. But that’s not what I’m talking about. On Christmas Eve, my family opens up the gifts sent to us from my mom’s father and step-mother, aka Granddaddy and that woman he’s married to.
No one really likes that woman. They’ve been married a bunch of years now, but she’s never bothered to take the time to get to know any of us. This woman is notorious for giving the worst Christmas gifts ever. One year, she gave us all sweatshirts with doilies on them. Even worse, under where the doilies are, she had cut out the backing, making it so there were a bunch of tiny holes on the front of the shirt. Other times she just got the sizing off or completely forgot just how old any of us were. I’d be more specific, but after taking a poll of everyone, I’ve discovered we’ve all blocked out all those memories.
This year didn’t disappoint, as my mom got the scariest holiday sweater ever. Being the type of people who make the best of everything, we had a little fun:
First off, my mom, the birthday girl, in the best birthday present ever:
My sister-in-law, Chryssie, loves the balls:
My sister, the model:
The back just increased the amazingness of it:
Even my dad got in on the fun:
And so they don’t get mad I embarrassed them all on the Internet and left myself out, here’s me:
