Interesting Christmas
Night and Day
Christmas Eve, we all went down to Homestead to celebrate it with my godfather and his clan in their tiny old house I practically grew up in. My godfather's family isn't the shiny, gleaming example of the perfect family so we knew we were walking into something different. IT WAS completely different. We were outnumbered by Mexicans... family and friend's of my cousin's wife. My family, for the first time ever, felt completely isolated... the strangers in a house that we used to know so well. The language spoken wasn't Portuguese, but Spanish. The music wasn't American Christmas music, but salsa and merengue. Eric and I walked outside, into the hot air and night humidity and felt like we were in Cuba. Crazy. Needless to say, my family left early since we felt completely out of place.
Christmas day, we went to my aunt and uncle's sprawling home in West Palm Beach. And it was just us Portuguese people. And my beloved Eric :) I missed having my godfather there and my uncle Raul there, but that's life. It was so wonderful to help cook, socialize with my aunts, chat with my cousins, and see my cousin Mike who's a ranking officer with the Seals. I hadn't seen him in over 7 years because of his missions. We spent the evening in the kitchen and in the game room. I loved watching Eric and my dad go head-to-head on foosball :) And I threw darts for the first time, as well as picked up some pointers on shooting pool. I just loved that evening.
So those were the highlights. I didn't get pissed with anyone in the family (which is a miracle since we were together 24-7 for the past few days) and I'm extremely proud of Eric for taking it all in stride. I especially loved watching him joke around with my family and feel at-home, for a certain extent, and letting them see what he's usually like when he's not being quiet and watchful. :) I love that man.
SO... NEW YORK!!!
I still need to get some last minute things, but I'm really excited :) I can't believe I'm actually going. Luckily I have some time between today and tomorrow to finish things up before we jet off. We're staying at the Excelsior :D a 4-star hotel with french motifs through-out the place. When I saw the website, my heart practically jumped out with excitement... almost as much excitement as the idea of being surprised to go back to Paris. I still can't believe he did this for me. I'm still in shock. And can't wait. :)
Christmas Eve, we all went down to Homestead to celebrate it with my godfather and his clan in their tiny old house I practically grew up in. My godfather's family isn't the shiny, gleaming example of the perfect family so we knew we were walking into something different. IT WAS completely different. We were outnumbered by Mexicans... family and friend's of my cousin's wife. My family, for the first time ever, felt completely isolated... the strangers in a house that we used to know so well. The language spoken wasn't Portuguese, but Spanish. The music wasn't American Christmas music, but salsa and merengue. Eric and I walked outside, into the hot air and night humidity and felt like we were in Cuba. Crazy. Needless to say, my family left early since we felt completely out of place.
Christmas day, we went to my aunt and uncle's sprawling home in West Palm Beach. And it was just us Portuguese people. And my beloved Eric :) I missed having my godfather there and my uncle Raul there, but that's life. It was so wonderful to help cook, socialize with my aunts, chat with my cousins, and see my cousin Mike who's a ranking officer with the Seals. I hadn't seen him in over 7 years because of his missions. We spent the evening in the kitchen and in the game room. I loved watching Eric and my dad go head-to-head on foosball :) And I threw darts for the first time, as well as picked up some pointers on shooting pool. I just loved that evening.
So those were the highlights. I didn't get pissed with anyone in the family (which is a miracle since we were together 24-7 for the past few days) and I'm extremely proud of Eric for taking it all in stride. I especially loved watching him joke around with my family and feel at-home, for a certain extent, and letting them see what he's usually like when he's not being quiet and watchful. :) I love that man.
SO... NEW YORK!!!
I still need to get some last minute things, but I'm really excited :) I can't believe I'm actually going. Luckily I have some time between today and tomorrow to finish things up before we jet off. We're staying at the Excelsior :D a 4-star hotel with french motifs through-out the place. When I saw the website, my heart practically jumped out with excitement... almost as much excitement as the idea of being surprised to go back to Paris. I still can't believe he did this for me. I'm still in shock. And can't wait. :)