Mexican Trains and Air Force planes (It's gonna be long)
CHRISTMAS IN VA TO DATE!
So with finals being crazy and the stress levels at an all time high at both home and school, i now -- 20 days later -- am now sitting down to do a little update....
Finals week - AUGHHHHHHH! -- but they're over. I think the only thing that kept me going was the fact that i had an awesome reward awaiting for me...
Anyway, as far as break: Woke up around 3ish in the morning on the 19th and headed to the airport. That was both awesome and slightly scary... Awesome in the sense that i was finally getting to meet Andys [excuse me, "Drews" as he seems to be called up here]family and scary because i was meeting Andys family, =/ I think my biggest fear was getting the cold shoulder or the "I only tolerate you because it makes him happy" look... WOW WAS I OFF! I have never felt so welcome anywhere:
His mom is everything he made her out to be and then some. She gives off this amazing radiance of genuine care and compassion. I've really enjoyed getting to spend time with her; her quick wit and and passive resolve make her a "cool kid" in my book...
The brother... total dork, but i love him for it... Hes always got me laughing about some random thing or another... he reminds me a lot of my old friend Kyle (whom you old FLEC kids and... Summer know)... another "cool kid" in my book. -- Also, got to meet his girlfriend and some of his friends ; they are an awesome bunch.
The dad... Okay, and on this one you have to admit I had some right to be nervous about... All I really heard was 1. hes in the air force 2. Is high up in gov't affairs and 3. Rarely shows emotion.... ughhh, yeah, kinda freaked. But im happy to report that once again i was off. Granted, we havent "clicked" as easily as his mom or brother, but I do like him. He gives off the traditional "dad" vibe... Just a guy that you need to get to know some first, but hes pretty cool. I've enjoyed the occasional offhand comment on how Ohio state sucks (and yes, it does.) among other things.
Anyway, flew in and got into the Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and hit a few stores.
Later throughout the week, i got the chance to meet Anne, an old crony from drews HS days... I LOVE HER! She has this charismatic personage that makes you want to like her almost instantly... Insert a few trips to random stores, two rounds of Starbucks, and cooking dinner, and that takes us through the rest of that day.
WASHINGTON D.C. - awesome. Its drenched in historical riches. From the smithsonian to the various monuments that fill the land, it was a breath taking site... I hope that i never forget, and more importantly, always remember that for every pretty star out there, every wreath, every quote, a man or woman gave up their lives so that i might have the chance to live in a usually peaceful place.
the next couple of days - not that they werent uneventful, for I've rarely had a moment to just [stop] - are a bit of a blur... met some more family friends, ran to the stores about 3 to 4 times a day, and "chillaxed" here and there...
Christmas eve was spent in washington dc, this time i got to see the tree at night. It was a beautiful sight, so many lights, christmas carols, and a pacifistic environment... I hate to keep using the word, but it was awesome...
CHRISTMAS!
WOW!!! Even though I had told Andy to tell his parents that they didnt need to get me anything - which i legitiamtely meant, it really irritates me when people are just being coy when they say "no thanks" or "you dont have to" - anyway, they definitely went all out, i dont know how to ever really thank them. I recieved : an amazing necklace, a celtic round knot on a silver chain!!!, Enya CD (Amaratine)!!!, Fiona Apple CD (Extraordinary Machine)!!!, A Wicked screencap in black frame!!!, 'Squishy' pillow!!!, crocheted scarf!!!, "Special" frame!!!, March of the Penguins!!!, A beautiful White House 2005 ornament!!!, plus some cool stocking stuffers like a starbucks giftcard and pentagon keychain... They went waaaay overboard, but at the end of the day, thank you is all i can say...
Finally today, ran into the bank and had some issues there, but im hoping everything will be fine by tomorrow... anyway, went to the mall and got treated to an awesome lunch at the American Cafe... it was fun. Tomorrow we're going to see a movie (Memoirs of a Geisha) which looks "flippin sweet" =P
All in all - sorry for the inconsistent and undeveloped points, but sitting here trying to properly explain everything would take more time than im willing to commit at the moment - I've had an amazing time. I dont want it to end! hehe... Anyway, cant wait to see some of you when i get back!
~Jeff
Quote of the blog:
"I can't find my pants!" - A.L.B.
So with finals being crazy and the stress levels at an all time high at both home and school, i now -- 20 days later -- am now sitting down to do a little update....
Finals week - AUGHHHHHHH! -- but they're over. I think the only thing that kept me going was the fact that i had an awesome reward awaiting for me...
Anyway, as far as break: Woke up around 3ish in the morning on the 19th and headed to the airport. That was both awesome and slightly scary... Awesome in the sense that i was finally getting to meet Andys [excuse me, "Drews" as he seems to be called up here]family and scary because i was meeting Andys family, =/ I think my biggest fear was getting the cold shoulder or the "I only tolerate you because it makes him happy" look... WOW WAS I OFF! I have never felt so welcome anywhere:
His mom is everything he made her out to be and then some. She gives off this amazing radiance of genuine care and compassion. I've really enjoyed getting to spend time with her; her quick wit and and passive resolve make her a "cool kid" in my book...
The brother... total dork, but i love him for it... Hes always got me laughing about some random thing or another... he reminds me a lot of my old friend Kyle (whom you old FLEC kids and... Summer know)... another "cool kid" in my book. -- Also, got to meet his girlfriend and some of his friends ; they are an awesome bunch.
The dad... Okay, and on this one you have to admit I had some right to be nervous about... All I really heard was 1. hes in the air force 2. Is high up in gov't affairs and 3. Rarely shows emotion.... ughhh, yeah, kinda freaked. But im happy to report that once again i was off. Granted, we havent "clicked" as easily as his mom or brother, but I do like him. He gives off the traditional "dad" vibe... Just a guy that you need to get to know some first, but hes pretty cool. I've enjoyed the occasional offhand comment on how Ohio state sucks (and yes, it does.) among other things.
Anyway, flew in and got into the Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and hit a few stores.
Later throughout the week, i got the chance to meet Anne, an old crony from drews HS days... I LOVE HER! She has this charismatic personage that makes you want to like her almost instantly... Insert a few trips to random stores, two rounds of Starbucks, and cooking dinner, and that takes us through the rest of that day.
WASHINGTON D.C. - awesome. Its drenched in historical riches. From the smithsonian to the various monuments that fill the land, it was a breath taking site... I hope that i never forget, and more importantly, always remember that for every pretty star out there, every wreath, every quote, a man or woman gave up their lives so that i might have the chance to live in a usually peaceful place.
the next couple of days - not that they werent uneventful, for I've rarely had a moment to just [stop] - are a bit of a blur... met some more family friends, ran to the stores about 3 to 4 times a day, and "chillaxed" here and there...
Christmas eve was spent in washington dc, this time i got to see the tree at night. It was a beautiful sight, so many lights, christmas carols, and a pacifistic environment... I hate to keep using the word, but it was awesome...
CHRISTMAS!
WOW!!! Even though I had told Andy to tell his parents that they didnt need to get me anything - which i legitiamtely meant, it really irritates me when people are just being coy when they say "no thanks" or "you dont have to" - anyway, they definitely went all out, i dont know how to ever really thank them. I recieved : an amazing necklace, a celtic round knot on a silver chain!!!, Enya CD (Amaratine)!!!, Fiona Apple CD (Extraordinary Machine)!!!, A Wicked screencap in black frame!!!, 'Squishy' pillow!!!, crocheted scarf!!!, "Special" frame!!!, March of the Penguins!!!, A beautiful White House 2005 ornament!!!, plus some cool stocking stuffers like a starbucks giftcard and pentagon keychain... They went waaaay overboard, but at the end of the day, thank you is all i can say...
Finally today, ran into the bank and had some issues there, but im hoping everything will be fine by tomorrow... anyway, went to the mall and got treated to an awesome lunch at the American Cafe... it was fun. Tomorrow we're going to see a movie (Memoirs of a Geisha) which looks "flippin sweet" =P
All in all - sorry for the inconsistent and undeveloped points, but sitting here trying to properly explain everything would take more time than im willing to commit at the moment - I've had an amazing time. I dont want it to end! hehe... Anyway, cant wait to see some of you when i get back!
~Jeff
Quote of the blog:
"I can't find my pants!" - A.L.B.