Home for Christmas

Well, well, well, I believe it's time for a special video. You've all been very patient, and now that I've finally arrived back at my place, unpacked my grampa clothes, rinsed off 29 travelling hours worth of shmutz, and have sat down with some internet, it's time to fill you in on the whole conspiracy, top to bottom. I suppose it would also be a good idea to give a shout out to a whole bunch of people and share a few photos in the process (of which I do not have many of my own, so I will do the textbook move and steal them from facebook). But enough introduction, I know what most of you came here for, so let's get to it.

------------------- OPERATION CHRIMBUS SURPRISE -------------------

Background: Like most teachers, I have two weeks off for my Christmas/Winter holidays. I knew, the moment I left for Macau this spring past, that I would return home for Christmas and surprise most people. I should mention that most of this was possible due to the efforts of my partner-in-deception Murray, When my parents & I last said goodbye in the summer, I made it clear that flying to Canada during the holidays was too expensive and therefore unfeasible. This developed into an extensive plot of me going to the Philippines with three friends (I needed to check the weather, memorize the name of the island, and find the corresponding airline & flight number for a complete story). Even after arriving, I made sure to whatsapp Mom & Dad at times that would seem as though it was daytime in Asia. With everything in place, it was time to pull off the surprise.

Execution: I needed a little extra manpower to pull of this plan properly, so I roped in pals extraordinaire Murray & Rachel. They would show up at my parent's door, asking for baked goods (I had notified mom of their visit date, arrival time & intentions days ahead of time) to ensure that Mom would be at home, and then be busy in the kitchen, fully distracted with something else. This gave me a bit of time to take my shoes & coat off, and for Murray to get a proper space to tape the whole thing. In the video, you'll see her taking out tray after tray of goodies (which we did end up claiming in the end), while I'm slipping off my coat and sneaking through the house. I'd explain Mom's reaction, but I think the video speaks for itself. Apologies for the vertical video. 

 After much screaming and jumping and flailing of arms, there was quite a bit of wooden-spoon abuse directed towards myself and Murray in the form of "YOU ASSHOLE YOU WERE IN ON IT HOW COULD YOU SCARE ME LIKE THAT DURING THE HOLIDAYS NOW I HAVE TO MAKE A FULL DINNER AND GO SHOPPING FOR PRESENTS AND CHRISTMAS CRAP". Classic Mom. Still worth it though. 

Little Kitty (who is, incidentally, bigger)

Peggy (who is, incidentally, smaller)

Coming home also means discovering the new little things here and there that have changed while you've been gone. For example, we now have a second cat, this one from my brother who is moving into an apartment that isn't pet friendly. The black one proudly stuffed into a gift bag is our first, and the 'lil stinker on my shoulder is the newest one. Having the littlest one roll around in my suitcase was an entertaining ordeal while I was trying to pack. 

I set myself up for a doozy of a week of events, and I consider myself luck that I didn't fall ill during the break at any time, all things considered. Jazz was listened to, Blitz was conducted in a dutch fashion, families were brought together for food, drink & dad talk, and much money was spent on silly things that I did not entirely need. While it was a sort of jugggling act to stay on top of the multiple hangs each day, I got to see some fantastic people (although not all fantastic people I wanted to see) and do some fantastic things. I even had the distinct pleasure of making a few new friends along the way, which doesn't often happen when you're so focused on seeing the folks you want to catch up with. Bonus points to Murray for karting me around Southern Ontario and spending 9 of my 12 days back with me. What a champ. 


I suppose that a big part of Christmas, besides eating a month's worth of food in a week, getting pine needles in your socks and endlessly spilling egg nog on your sweaters is spending time with family. Mind you, I lived with my family since I was born. During undergrad, and through the better half of teacher's college, I was at home, always within shouting distance of pleas ranging from 'get the wifi working on the phone again' to 'which remote do we use to get the Netflix going'. I didn't have to be gone that long to realize and appreciate the things that make a family a family. I suppose this past 8 months is the longest I've been away from home (believe it or not), and it was both refreshing and exhausting to be back. Dad was surprised and pleased to have me back, home felt a little warmer with everyone around, and the holidays became what they've always been, a source of continuity, that 'home' feeling. I think I may just be back next Christmas as well.

I apologize for not taking more pictures of the various adventures during the break. I neglected to remember their being a phone attached to my camera (I didn't often use my phone, which wasn't all a bad thing). 

That New Years was the single best celebration of the new year I've had yet. A group of friends from camp & elsewhere gathered at the cottage we visit during the summer for a rather irregular but spectacular New Years near Owen Sound. I'll let the pictures do the talking, because they're more interesting to look at than endless words. I certainly hope this becomes a regular event. 

Apologies to the late guests who did not make the photo

 

I could write more about the hangs, the food eaten, or the ancient jalopy of a machine I recently inherited from a friend, but I think I'll leave things where they are. I am quite honestly overwhelmed with the amount of awesome things that happened over the past two weeks, and while I'm still excited to see my kiddos and jump into a new year, it hurts to go away again knowing you won't be back for another half year. For those of you who I saw & didn't see, take care of yourselves until I see you again.