Home for the Holidays

Ah, Christmas. What better way to celebrate this joyous season than by studying for finals? Well, I can think of about a million. So before cramming my suitcase half-full with casebooks and notes, I threw a delightful little holiday get-together with my friends. What can I say, we all know I like to play host. Egg Nog, Chex Mix, good friends... what else is there to make the holidays?

Enter the family. My mother had surgery on her knee, so she was hobbling along with her crutch. I kept asking her to say: "God bless us, every one." But she had none of that. Meanwhile, she was still her delightfully crazy self. And I quote: "Elizabeth and Adam have backs you could write an anatomy book on." Ummm... what? Yeah, no more wine for her. Of course, that didn't stop Elizabeth and me from drinking our bloody mary's and speaking in a constant stream of inside jokes. Adam was able to join us in Des Moines for Christmas. He told me he was going to make me a bib that said "I eat my feelings" but he didn't get around to it. It's the thought that counts, right? Aunt Mimi was cooking up a storm in the kitchen, as usual (including a wonderful rib roast [editor's note: this is one of the inside jokes Elizabeth and I share]). I suppose the good thing about having a ton of work to do (that I'm nowhere near caught up on) was that I was able to avoid having to spend all day in the kitchen and I could manage my family time and not go crazy. Of course, crazy is a relative term. And with relatives like mine... ha! Aaaaanyway...

Also, I was able to see my bestest friend Julie as she was driving through Madison. We were able to get some coffee, and catch up. Mid-conversation, we realized that the couple behind us were drinking champagne and crying. WTF? Yeah, apparently they just got engaged. I felt kind of awkward (when don't I?) because I'm sure Julie and I were being our loud, obnoxious selves. But hey, that's the risk you take when proposing to someone in public. So, we wished them congratulations, and Julie slipped the man her phone number. OK, not really, but how hilarious would that have been? Then there was a bit of confusion when Elizabeth came to the coffee shop (she works there) and started talking to the girl behind the counter.
Girl: (Pointing in the general direction of the newly engaged couple): They just got engaged!
Liz: (Thinking the girl is pointing to Julie and me) WHAT?!?
Once she realized that I did not just propose to someone, I think her heart started up again.

All in all, it's been a pretty good break. I got in a few interviews, saw my friends and family, ate a ton, and was semi-productive. Since the operative prefix is "semi," I should stop stalling and get back to work!

P.S. I finally got a new camera, so I no longer need to steal photos from others!