break...

i have been on break from school since december 15....that's a whole five weeks of no driving to albany for a class....it's been a nice break....and a long break....and i did more driving in my break than i think i did the whole fall semester going back and forth....it's t minus 5 days until i start again....but let me recap my break.

i took off from work starting on december 22. i figured it would be a nice long three weeks off. why not? i don't really get to do that alot, so i did it....then the plans started to be made. i left bingo on dec 24, in the worst weather, and did not return until jan 7, in similar bad weather.

on the 24th, it took me almost 5 hours to get to cold spring...a normally 2 hour drive....there were cars off the road every 50 feet or so....i think i was lucky to get there in one piece....then it was another three hour drive to ct that night....i stayed in CS for about an hour....that's all. in ct, we had dinner at my grandmother's- a usual tradition- my parents and my sibling and his family....it's a small gathering, but nice. my 5 year old neice is off the wall, and i am not sure who she got that from....

the next day was the normal family gathering at my stepmother's family house....it was full of it's normal dysfunction and reminded me again why i only see this family once a year....it was the day after christmas that the craziness started....

i got up early and left ct for philly....where i would visit with my in-laws for under 24 hours....we were having our own christmas celebration, and it was very good....my mother in-law had hurt herself coming home from work on christmas, so it was a little delayed....no worries, she is doing just fine now...my very pregnant sister-in-law cooked us all dinner, our family and her's....i was impressed with her ability to host us all and be so pregnant....the next day i got up early again and travelled 6 hours to keene....this was to drop off jack before i headed the extra four hours up to montreal....yes, you read that right, i spent less than 24 hours in philly and drove about 10 hours the next day to montreal...why, one might ask?

montreal was the place were one of my friends had chosen to spend her 30th birthday....so, i agreed to be there...for three days....yup, 3 days....again, i drove through some interesting weather in VT and canada to get there, but i did it....i got there....somethings i learned: 1. they do not speak english in montreal...actually, it's the entire provence of quebec....i crossed the boarder and no longer understood road signs- at least the ones without pictures....this is not something i knew, and no one warned me of this. 2. this is your warning- learn a little french before going to montreal....there are people who speak NO english...you should be prepared. 3. when a massage therapist says to you, "take a deep inspiration." she means a breathe....4. when crossing the boarder, and the patrol officer asks you, "all that stuff is your clothes?" it's best to just answer the question....no smart remarks....5. when you are crossing back into the US...the boarder patrol will ask you why are are going to the place you are returning to....even if you tell them it's your home.

from montreal, i ventured to boston, the longest stay of my adventures....there i celebrated another friend's 30th birthday and new year's....again, i stopped in keene after crossing the border to pick up jack...and off we went...the weather held out that day, it was clear and free....in boston, two other friends met me there, so four of us celebrated together....new year's day was a day of laziness, just watching movies and sitting around....then it was time to explore boston....it was a nice break....i left boston for a few days, to visit friends in keene....and to send jack back to bingo without me....after keene, back to boston i went for work related things....then finally it was time to go home....that night the weather was again bad....and there was a point in the non-state i thought i might get stuck....but i made it....

since being home, i have finished reading the vampire books....i love them and think everyone should read them....oh, and if you have read them, i would love to talk about them! i put away the christmas decorations, but the boxes still sit in my house...i've gone out to be with my people...i have done alot of cooking....set up my new tivo....started PT, hoping it will make my back better....and have been disappointed in my job...i have talked about budget cuts and the economy more than i ever thought i would....i have 5 days left until i start school again....i did not make a quilt like i had hoped over this break....but i am hoping that i might be able to do some of that while i am studying....my break is almost over...but the best part will be that my new niece, Addyson Lola, will be born before i go back....