Welcome to February!
Honestly, I have no idea where January went. I've been in my "new" job for 3 weeks. I've done 4 calls. I've done 6 clinics. I've baked cookies and cupcakes. I've cleaned the kitchen... And my to-do list is just building!!!
I have some complaints for whomever put together the 2013 calendar.
- Super Bowl in New Orleans... Do you not know that the Mardi Gras festival is a few weeks long there? Serious NFL, you're screwing with traditions that are ancient, beloved, and thinly veiled racist slurs... Oh wait... it's competition?
- Why is the Super Bowl on right before my call? I was on call the night of the BCS Championship. And now I'm on call immediately following the Super Bowl? I can't be awake for 48 hours and maintain my empathy.
- St. Bridget's Day - Feb 1
Groundhog's Day - Feb 2
Super Bowl Sunday - Feb 3
Mardi Gras - Feb 12
Ash Wednesday - Feb 13
Valentine's Day - Feb 14
... Do you see where I'm going with this? Could you not have spaced it out, just a little bit? Do you have any idea how much baking is involved with these holidays?!
- Easter in March... I'm not sure about this now... But I'm going to hold my judgement until appropriate.
- "The Gathering" ... ... ... Really? ... ... ... You've changed the registration plates on the car, because you're too superstitious to have "13" on every plate. And you're going to invite ALL people of Irish descent back to Ireland that year... *sigh*
Now, I did promise a few pictures from home. I wanted to give my trip home its own post, but I'm a bit crap at being on time with things. So... Late as usual... My trip home!
We took the 2 weeks preceding Christmas to go back to the States (then returned to actually work on Christmas). This is becoming somewhat of a norm for me. But early Christmas has suited my family in the past few years, so I can't argue with it. Plus, I get paid extra for working holidays... Though, as it is a holiday, Murphy's law applies.
First week was spent down in NOLA. It was a pleasure as always, and a nice slow ease into the central time zone. It was chilled out, and restful. I felt pretty good after the week... Well, I felt really full, actually, because the food was just too good! Before we headed to NOLA, we'd made a list of places to eat (it's an extensive list that will take months to complete) and we endeavored to hit a few of them up. I'm not going to talk about every meal I ate, but big highlight: Cochon. (Yes, it means 'pig' in french) The food there was perfect... and pork... and so good. I ate way more than I should have, and had my first go at eating alligator (surprisingly good). Other bits to mention, went to the shooting range (that was a new experience); had a creepy walk through the riverfront when it was next to abandoned; got my Christmas cards printed; midnight showing of the Hobit in 3D; did I mention the food? Small side note... If you fly on Delta, don't eat the chicken mole poblano, aka "hot chicken meal"... just don't...
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| Stocking holders |
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| Christmas mittens... So exciting! |
Second week was in MN with my fam, the whole fam actually. It's rare that we all get to be together (partners and all), so it's something to be enjoyed. Where NOLA was more relaxed, MN was a tiny bit hectic, people everywhere, things to do, cold weather to avoid! And it was my nephew's first Christmas (and my first time meeting him face-to-face). He's a little dote. I haven't met a baby as chilled out and cool as he is (and while I realise that most of the babies I meet are unwell and therefore cross, even the well ones aren't as cool as he is. Much of the visit revolved around spending time together, eating dinners, going to the movies, playing boardgames (train game!), and sneaking in time to finish making a Christmas present. I highly recommend going to the West End for movies, the VIP section where you can have a bloodymary while watching a 3D movie is pretty excellent (as is the Bacon Popcorn). I also recommend taking an afternoon off and letting your boyfriend make dinner for your whole family, because, let's be honest, he likes messing in the kitchen, and your family likes eating! (Plus, his gumbo is pretty fantastic). So I'm going to tack on some family togetherness photos, and maybe just one or two of my nephew, as he is the coolest. Enjoy.
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| My aunt is the COOLEST! |
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| You win some, you lose some |
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| Christmas socks! |
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| Awesome Christmas hat |
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| Damnit, mom! I want to open my present! |
First week was spent down in NOLA. It was a pleasure as always, and a nice slow ease into the central time zone. It was chilled out, and restful. I felt pretty good after the week... Well, I felt really full, actually, because the food was just too good! Before we headed to NOLA, we'd made a list of places to eat (it's an extensive list that will take months to complete) and we endeavored to hit a few of them up. I'm not going to talk about every meal I ate, but big highlight: Cochon. (Yes, it means 'pig' in french) The food there was perfect... and pork... and so good. I ate way more than I should have, and had my first go at eating alligator (surprisingly good). Other bits to mention, went to the shooting range (that was a new experience); had a creepy walk through the riverfront when it was next to abandoned; got my Christmas cards printed; midnight showing of the Hobit in 3D; did I mention the food? Small side note... If you fly on Delta, don't eat the chicken mole poblano, aka "hot chicken meal"... just don't...
