Merry Christmas...
Wow I didn't realize it had been so long since I had updated. But hey I have been busy so that's my excuse. Just a quick recap of last week before I left for Michigan...Work went well last week. I am pretty much done with training, with the exception of spending next week in Newton. I did pretty well on my mid-term, all 12 pages and 5 essay questions of it. I got some wrong but it was mostly stuff that I never really learned or did not understand the question. I gave my Secret Santa gift and she seemed to like it. I also got a Whitman's Sampler chocolate from her which was very nice considering she wasn't even my secret santa. I was in a cranky mood earlier in the week, but ended up getting out of it because it was causing some issues with various people. And hey it was Christmas so better to just be nice and not cause problems.
So Thursday I flew from Providence to Detroit. Which ended up being a 3 hour layover. Partly my fault for not picking a better flight and also because our plane was late from Atlanta. So I spent the time eating a nice lunch at Chili's, watching the new light show/tunnel, and watching a band play Christmas music. Finally I arrived in Lansing an hour late and tired. Friday I went shopping with my Mom to get food items for the cake I was going to make and for the week. That night Patrick and I went to see Harry Potter on IMAX. Yet again another great Harry Potter movie. Great visuals and effects. It was definetly the book squashed together, but that is what is going to happen with the larger books now. Saturday I spent Christmas Eve at my Dad's house as usual. Was actually a decent time there without any conflicts or issues. Christmas day we did the usual family stuff in the morning and then headed to Grandparent's house. It must be age or something just this year but it did not feel as much like Christmas as usual. However it was very cool that the rain gave way to a beautiful light snowfall that was like out of a movie. And it is always great to see the family and how much all my cousins have grown. Afterwards we pretty much just hung around our house had some good food and played Scene It. I ended up with mostly gift cards, money, a fake dog (I wanted a puppy for Christmas), and some other little odds and ends.
Monday I went to Detroit Airport to pick up Kris. After getting slightly lost we went to the Lansing Mall, Best Buy, and Target. I picked up a great Grill Pan for $12.99 at Marshall Fields. I also got a new oven mitt, underwear, and a nice watch from Target. That night we had ham for dinner and played some more board games. Tuesday I went to get my teeth cleaned then to lunch with Grandma. At night Kris, Patrick, and I went bowling. It really was a shock going into a place you could smoke. I am so used to Mass and RI being smoke free. It immediately reminded me why I love the new law so much. The smell you get on your clothes, buring eyes, sore throat, etc was something I did not miss. Today we pretty much just hung around all day in our pajamas and watched "Jumanji" and "Phil of the Future". I have decided that Ricky Ullman ("Phil") is pretty much the cutest tv actor around, and I did not complain that there was a marathon of his show on today. I feel kind of bad that Kris came at this time of year when I had appointments and family stuff, not to mention it has been foggy, rainy, cloudy since I arrived. So hopefully he will be able to visit again when we can be outside, see the awesome yard we have, the pool, bbq, Mackinaw Island and Bridge, etc. But still was nice for him to visit and show people where I grew up. In the evening we went back to my grandparents for my Grandfather's birthday party. I made a pretty neat cake in the shape of a train. I will try and load a pic of it on here soon. It was a nice time and good food with family.
So tomorrow I return home. I do miss it and am looking forward to my own bed, apartment, etc. And my crazy OCD self is actually looking forward to cleaning the apartment. And it looks great now with the new couches from Ian's aunt. They are really sleek and comfortable. I am also looking forward to having our little friend's Christmas party and exchange gifts. Anyways so I am going to try and do laundry, possibly clean a little, grocery shop, and possibly get my hair cut. Plane takes off at noon-ish tomorrow. See everyone in New England!
So Thursday I flew from Providence to Detroit. Which ended up being a 3 hour layover. Partly my fault for not picking a better flight and also because our plane was late from Atlanta. So I spent the time eating a nice lunch at Chili's, watching the new light show/tunnel, and watching a band play Christmas music. Finally I arrived in Lansing an hour late and tired. Friday I went shopping with my Mom to get food items for the cake I was going to make and for the week. That night Patrick and I went to see Harry Potter on IMAX. Yet again another great Harry Potter movie. Great visuals and effects. It was definetly the book squashed together, but that is what is going to happen with the larger books now. Saturday I spent Christmas Eve at my Dad's house as usual. Was actually a decent time there without any conflicts or issues. Christmas day we did the usual family stuff in the morning and then headed to Grandparent's house. It must be age or something just this year but it did not feel as much like Christmas as usual. However it was very cool that the rain gave way to a beautiful light snowfall that was like out of a movie. And it is always great to see the family and how much all my cousins have grown. Afterwards we pretty much just hung around our house had some good food and played Scene It. I ended up with mostly gift cards, money, a fake dog (I wanted a puppy for Christmas), and some other little odds and ends.
Monday I went to Detroit Airport to pick up Kris. After getting slightly lost we went to the Lansing Mall, Best Buy, and Target. I picked up a great Grill Pan for $12.99 at Marshall Fields. I also got a new oven mitt, underwear, and a nice watch from Target. That night we had ham for dinner and played some more board games. Tuesday I went to get my teeth cleaned then to lunch with Grandma. At night Kris, Patrick, and I went bowling. It really was a shock going into a place you could smoke. I am so used to Mass and RI being smoke free. It immediately reminded me why I love the new law so much. The smell you get on your clothes, buring eyes, sore throat, etc was something I did not miss. Today we pretty much just hung around all day in our pajamas and watched "Jumanji" and "Phil of the Future". I have decided that Ricky Ullman ("Phil") is pretty much the cutest tv actor around, and I did not complain that there was a marathon of his show on today. I feel kind of bad that Kris came at this time of year when I had appointments and family stuff, not to mention it has been foggy, rainy, cloudy since I arrived. So hopefully he will be able to visit again when we can be outside, see the awesome yard we have, the pool, bbq, Mackinaw Island and Bridge, etc. But still was nice for him to visit and show people where I grew up. In the evening we went back to my grandparents for my Grandfather's birthday party. I made a pretty neat cake in the shape of a train. I will try and load a pic of it on here soon. It was a nice time and good food with family.
So tomorrow I return home. I do miss it and am looking forward to my own bed, apartment, etc. And my crazy OCD self is actually looking forward to cleaning the apartment. And it looks great now with the new couches from Ian's aunt. They are really sleek and comfortable. I am also looking forward to having our little friend's Christmas party and exchange gifts. Anyways so I am going to try and do laundry, possibly clean a little, grocery shop, and possibly get my hair cut. Plane takes off at noon-ish tomorrow. See everyone in New England!