recap of my two week christmas "vacation" home...

So I have decided that a two week vacation being written out in detail would be extremely boring. To top it off, I don’t have any pictures to post to go along with the stories because the only pictures I took are of scenery and art I found in galleries. I have no idea how I didn’t remember to take one picture with my friends or family yet carried the camera with me diligently in my purse. Yet I still want to share some parts of my trip so I have decided to post fun highlights thus avoiding the snooze fest a detailed account would provide.

First Week: Virginia

The first thing that happened when I walked into Brian’s parent’s house: puppy peed on the floor. Not technically his fault since we hadn’t put down his pad yet so where would we expect him to go? But still, not the best timing to make a good impression. Thanks puppy.

I also brought this awesome gingerbread house kit to make for his family. However, when I attempted to put it together, the stand was upside down (I misread the very easy instructions.) So instead of a nice house for his family, I had a pile of gingerbread and icing everywhere while the family laughed at my idiocy. It was pretty funny; I would have been laughing but again, not a great impression to make on his parents. *sigh*

We spent two days in Washington D.C. and I saw enough museums, historical artifacts, and monuments to last me awhile. Everything was much more moving than I expected as I know little about our history (my only knowledge of our nation’s past was from high school courses which isn’t great anyway and seem to have forgotten completely.)

It took almost two hours to walk through the Holocaust Memorial but was totally worth it. It was the most powerful exhibit we went to.

I flirted with the guard so our group could go to the top of the George Washington Memorial without waiting in line. (I also was not aware the structure was hollow and you could ride to the top; I thought it was more for looks. His parents looked amazed I had no idea. Again, felt like an idiot.)

I also got to see some original Matisse, Picasso, and O’Keefe paintings which were really cool. I took some pictures of these huge installations from other non-famous artists that I want to try and recreate at home. I think I was the most excited of the group for the art gallery.

Christmas at Brian’s house was really fun. They have this tradition of decorating sugar cookies and I was in charge of the green frosting tube. Plus I got some great gifts like pajama pants that will double as something I can wear to yoga plus a picture frame. Sadly enough I didn’t take any pictures to put in it.

Traveling: Plane Trip from Hell

Long story short: Our first plane left on time but had an emergency landing due to smoke in the cabin. We were told to board the new plane, which would be arrive in three hours, and our new flights would be rescheduled the following morning since we all missed our connecting flights. Brian and I didn’t want to fly out with no official plane booked home and we kept getting the run around until Brian finally called customer service for the tenth time and got us a whole new flight booked for the following day. Basically we landed in Seattle 18 hours later then we were supposed to.

Week Two: Seattle

My parents went all out for Christmas this year; it was obvious I had been missed these past eight months! I actually felt bad because they shouldn’t have spent so much money on me – I gave my parents a Christmas list like I always do… only this time they bought everything on the list. I was spoiled rotten (and loved it!)

My mom was totally in love with our puppy, Scruffles. Dad commented how she had taken ten pictures of him playing in wrapping paper and not one of Brian or I and her reply (while still shooting Scruffles): “Yup.” By the end of our stay, she still hadn’t taken one of either of us.

My mom treated me to Girls Day Out and we both got manicures. However, mine was totally chipped just a week later while hers was still immaculate. You can tell which one of us is more girly.

You don’t realize how much you can miss a restaurant until you don’t have it anymore. I think I ate at Red Robin three times.

I had coffee with an old co-worker and spilt on myself three times in an hour. My excuse: I am not used to drinking coffee anymore since I can’t get it down here. But then later in the week, the same guy and I went to Thai food and I spilt curry on my shirt in less than twenty minutes. Apparently I am just clumsy.

I thought I ran into an ex at Red Robin, almost ran into an ex in Freemont, and then actually ran into an ex at Time Out in Kirkland.

I sang some karaoke at the Little Red Hen one night. However, I strayed from my usual 80’s classics and sang Baby Got Back. The audience was so drunk I could have been singing a gospel hymn and they wouldn’t have noticed.

I am now officially inducted into TJ’s party crew because I have learned how to open a beer bottle with my butt check. Not kidding. I am one classy lady.

My glamorous friend gave me an awesome Coach coin purse; it’s fabulous! God, she keeps me in style.

Apparently I have adjusted the heat in Alabama… making me a mess in Seattle. I crashed at Nic’s place with four blankets on and in full on sweats. (Shout out to Nic for letting Brian and I crash at his pad for a week. He was generous to not only give us his bed, but to let puppy stay there too… which wasn’t an easy task since he decided he liked pooping in the kitchen.)

Little Scruffles isn’t used to the Seattle cold either and was the only dog among a hundred others at the dog park in any ‘clothes’ at all. And on top of that, it was a bright red puppy fleece. I think he looked super cute and stylish but I am sure the other dog owner’s were rolling their eyes behind me.

Brian finally met my Grandparents and extended family. I could tell the family really liked him because Grandpa kept offering Brian whiskey and 7ups (my Grandpa’s favorite) and they even gave Brian the best seat in the house at dinner… while I was stuck at the end. He was even lucky enough to be treated with my Grandpa’s rendition of You Are My Sunshine on the harmonica. He got glowing reviews from everyone.

Phew! I think that about covers it. We got quite a bit crammed into two weeks! But soon enough we will be moving back to Seattle for good and will be able to settle back into the lifestyle we miss. Can’t wait to be home and I am so grateful I got to come visit. Alabama just doesn’t cut it for me.