"In this zinc-plated, vaccuum tube culture?"
Good holiday, guys. Christmas went swimmingly. Dad and Celia checked out of the hospital that night and had a Christmas feast at their house, while my grandparents had my Uncle Brad and his brand-new fiancee, Amy, over for dinner at their house.
I, however, had been spirited away to a very Mexican Christmas. As per yearly tradition, my mom's side of the family held their celebration on Christmas Eve at my grandparents' house. Everyone was there. Tio Greg, Tia Ginny, Tia Elena, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Todd, and Uncle Pat, and all four of my cousins (it was a long-ago established and almost joking tradition in my family to refer to all Mexican relatives by their Mexican titles, and all white relatives by their white titles. Greg, Ginny, and Elena are Mom's siblings, and Lisa, Todd, and Pat are their spouses). The menu was ham, pork tamales, beans, bean casserole, rice, squash, salad, and apple cake for dessert. The little ones, Jeremiah, Jessup, and Alé, were running around like crazy, while Adam and I played Halo 2 on his Xbox. Then, we listened to Twas the Night Before Christmas in Texas, and a couple of verses from the Bible pertaining to Christ. After that, presents, more Xbox, coffee, and home. I love my cousins.
Christmas Day, Mom and I exchanged our gifts at home. I gave her Down With Love, and we watched the first hour. She gave me a baby-carrier for Sanaya. We milled about the house until Dad came and picked me up. Also per yearly tradition, Dad's side of the family holds their celebrations on Christmas Day at my grandparents' house. However, given Celia's not-quite recovered state, the festivities were relocated to Dad's house. Uncle Brad and my grandparents arrived, and the feast was on. We had bacalhau (a Portuguese cod fish dish baked with onions and potatoes), ham, squash, brocolli casserole, ribs, salad, and rice pudding and lemon meringue pie for dessert. After our ridiculously enormous meal, we opened presents. Uncle Brad had to leave for Christmas dinner with Amy's family, and my grandparents were not far behind.
After that, I got an abrupt invite to Beth's house. Dad and I hopped in the truck and got me there swiftly. I stood outside Beth's door for several minutes, knocking. It was unlocked and a clear glass door, but it was also her house. Finally, I gave into the reality that no one in her house could hear me and let myself in. Beth, Jacob, Adriana, Michael, Matt, Chelsea, Candice, Dylan, Jacob Schreyer, and his little brother were all there. Mr. Henry introduced me to some very potent green stuff, and it was an awesome time. Michael, Adriana, and the Schreyer brothers had to leave after a while, and we slipped into story time. Charades followed, but quickly degenerated into "Guess the Movie." Then, Schreyer brought Alyssa over, and she brought Taboo. I love that game. All in all, it was a great night.
At the party, Alanna called me. I hadn't realized she was back in town. It was great hearing from her, and I hadn't known just how much I missed her until she called.
Today has been mellow. Celia's parents celebrated their fortieth anniversary, so Dad and I cooked them a genuine Texas breakfast, consisting of biscuits, eggs, hash browns, bacon, and gravy. The gravy is awesome. I don't like it, but I love how it's made. All that gravy has is flour, bacon grease, and milk. After that gigantic meal, I wrote for a while. Now, I'm waiting for Celia's dad to finish cooking some prawns and we may watch I, Robot.
Total present count: four gift certificates, three ties, two DVDs, two CDs, one ornament, one baby carrier, one office chair, one European sweater, one aunt-to-be, and one baby sister. Merry Christmas.
-Josh G.
P.S. I tried writing this in rich text format, and I hate it.