I am both happy and sad to see the holidays go. It was hectic and crazy and wonderful all at the same time!
This past Christmas was my first time home in 2 years. The first time I have crossed back over into Canada since getting my green card. At the start of November I was able to secure a flight home at a crazy insane price ($197 return) from Orlando. Sure it’s a 2 hour drive to Orlando but for 197 return who cares! So I rented a car to get me from home to the airport and made the arrangements to surprise my daughter for Christmas.
She was SO surprised! She cried - lots of people cried as she had been doing the 12 days of vlogmas for her youtube station. She got lots of views for that day - i think at least 12 of them are from me :)
It was a whirlwind trip. Sunday I got up at 3am to drive to Orlando. I was at the airport 1.5 hours before the ticket counter opened. My passport was expired at the time so I was so worried/anxious that I would not be able to get on the plane - even though I was told by their officials that they didn’t care about my passport if I was leaving the country. I was let on the plane and relaxed at the airport with my elf Henry for the 2ish hours before my flight left. The flight itself was outstanding. I was on their second flight ever out to that destination. The service was outstanding!! I hope they continue service! I arrived after a really bumpy landing and spent the day with my person while my daughter was at work. First thing we got was a Timmies half and half and a box of timbits. BEST THINGS EVER!!! OMG outstanding!! We ran a few errands and then went back to her house to see her handyman (who, by the way, is VERY easy on the eyes. Too bad he’s married) and later that day we ordered Thai and wow… great visit but TOO short!
My person drove me over to my daughters home around 1130pm. We settled me in and got cameras set up. I visited with my brother and her fiancee for a bit then she came home. She did a double take and then cried! She said she had the worse day ever and then me being there made is all go away. A bit later she came out of the kitchen and asked “Are you really sitting on my couch??” :D I’d do that crazy trip over again just to see that from my kids. We went to bed around 2am - Monday. Yes - I was up for nearly 24h straight.
Monday I had much running around to do. I had to get to the passport office to renew my passport. Get a photo taken. Get things for her Christmas party. Take my brother to the doctor office for his appt. Her annual Christmas potluck was outstanding! So many good friends they have. I am happy for them both that they are surrounded by so much love!
Tuesday I went to my old work while my daughter was at work. I was able to go on the floor and visit with EVERYONE all at once. It was outstanding! Many many double takes that day. Next time I’m visiting we’ll have to go out of the office and get coffee or drinks. I miss everyone SO much! That evening her fiancee and I went to starbucks and played Carcassonne. It’s a fun game that I will have to buy pretty soon before I forget how to play! When she was done work all 3 of us went out for Sushi (at 1030pm) and then went home to relax.
Wednesday she booked the day off work so I was able to spend the whole day with her. We did a bit of errands, her sweetie made us egg cups for lunch in the muffin pan (great idea!). We picked up my passport and we also took the Christmas tradition photo in front of the Christmas trees at the mall <3
Thursday, after brunch, I had to board the plane to come home. It was sad :( It was an awesome visit - much too short but I’ll take what I can get from work conisdering they said NO vacations were going to be approved until AFTER February. It was nice to be home. My step daughter picked me up and we had a great drive back home.
Christmas day I had to be at work for 5am. We were sent home early that day and of course we had our celebrations with family that day. Delicious Christmas dinner cooked by my mother and sister in law. Amazing time with the girls and watching everyone open their gifts.
We didn’t get each other gifts yet - things were just crazy. I have what I want, he has the list also. In the next few weeks we’ll go shopping. We did get money from my mother in law (thank you that paid the car payment!) and wine glasses and wine, a stealers elf on a shelf and tee from my sister in law. We got great home made gifts from the girls! That sugar scrub is to die for!!
Boxing day we had company come in from out of town and stay the week! We had a great visit with them. See what I mean - Christmas just kept damn going.....
They left New Years Day. The house got all quiet! Like really really quiet because I ended up getting strep throat and was not able to talk (thus no work) from Jan 2 to today. Today is the first day I’m pain-free AND I have a voice. Grant you now my bottom end is acting up because of the crazy antibiotics but I’ll take that over that much throat pain ANY day. I’ve had tonsillitis most of my childhood winters - never strep. I hope to NEVER get it again!
And now… I’m getting ready to ramp up for my education. Yes I have to take things over again. Even though I tested in the top 5% for honors English I still have to take the very basic English course again. Same with the math and humanities courses but hey - I’m done trying to fight a system that is clearly broken. I’ll take my easy A’s and like it. So this term it’s English, Math, World Religions and some 4 week everyone-has-to-take-this-course. 9 credit hours. Not as much as I could take but enough to get my feet wet in a whole new education system. I’m not sure what to expect to be honest. Harder - easier - about the same… who knows. I’m just glad to be starting back up. These are all pre-requisites so it will be a bit before I can even apply to RN school proper - but I’m on my way!
I’m currently shopping carefully for a planner that will work well for me throughout school. I’m weighing the options between the uncalender and iStudiez Pro. I like the option of virtual/portable and sync between my phone/computer but I also like the tangible paper, book in my hand, option. Feel free to weigh in on this dilemma I’m facing. I’ll take all feedback.
So … Yeah… that’s my holidays and catch you guys up all at once! Hope your holidays were as magical (but not as busy) as mine. Hang on guys… it’s about to get crazy in here!! :D
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