Catch-Up

Wow. It's been a while since I last blogged. I know I said I would tell you about what happened during Thanksgiving, so I have some catching up to do. First of all, on Wednesday, my family went on our usual day-before-Thanksgiving-outing. We first went and got our turkey from this organic turkey farm. Usually, there are a bunch of turkeys outside when we go to buy ours, but not this time. I guess they were all killed or something. Maybe it was too cold. After that, we went to REI for an hour or so. Depending on the time we get there, we either eat lunch first at Papa Vino's, or go to REI. It was too early when we arrived, and no one was hungry, so it was an unanimous decision to go to REI first. Out of the several things that we bought, I got a new pair of snow boots (which I actually used for the first time today). Until this year, we've all been sharing one pair of boots, and my parents finally decided that it might be helpful to get some new ones. I tried on two pairs, but decided on the ones I got because the other ones, while better looking, weren't as practical. They were only waterproof at the very bottom - they were more for warmth and style than practicality in snow. Per usual, when we ate at Papa Vino's, my dad and I split the calzone of the day, which this time was three meat. And as usual, it was delicious. Now, let's continue onto the actual day of Thanksgiving. Let me tell you, working all day on the food was worth it. The turkey was juicy and flavorful, we had two different kinds of pumpkin pie - pumpkin chiffon in Graham cracker crust, and my dad's homemade whole wheat crust with regular pumpkin filling - my dad made throwed rolls (Lambert's Cafe recipe!!), and a bunch more. By the end of the night, I had definitely had my share of food - I was stuffed! On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and the last day of break, we went over to our family friend's house and helped put up their ornaments on their Christmas tree. It's been this tradition, that started waaay before I was born, to come over to each other's houses and put up decorations, and then just hang out. Needless to say, I had a good time.
And then just like that, the break was over and we had to go back to getting up at 5:45 in the morning. Surprisingly, though, even without any days off, the week after our Thanksgiving break went by quite fast. It was over before you even knew it. The next week, though, not so much. Maybe it was because some things actually happened, or the reality was just setting in, but this past week has felt like on of the longest. It just kept on dragging on, and I was always tired. The first substantial event was that on Tuesday, on the way to school, my sister and I crashed into the side railing of the road. It had just snowed the night before, and the roads were slippery, so when my sister went around a curve a little too fast, we lost control and hit the railing. The accident wasn't that bad - the airbags didn't even go off, and no one was hurt- but the car was banged up, and we were a little shaken. For the rest of the week, except one day when the roads were clear and we couldn't get a ride, our parents drove us to school. We don't get the car back until next Tuesday, at the earliest. Another event this week was that I went caroling with the French Club at a retirement home, which was really fun. We sang Christmas carols in French, and then sometimes in English, and I had a solo. I went last year, as well, and it's just nice to see all these elderly people made happy by our (sometimes off key) singing. It was really nice. The last main event of the week was that my dad, sister, and I drove all the way out to Kalamazoo (which is 2 hours away) to see the musical Wicked. We had to leave several hours early, and didn't get home until 1 AM, but man was it worth it! Even though I know all the lyrics from my sister's incessant playing of them, it was nice to actually see them acted out, and in context. I just realized while watching it that Fiyero, who turns into the Scarecrow (from the Wizard of Oz) sings about being "brainless", which is what the Scarecrow wants when he goes to see the Wizard of Oz. There is just tons of things that explain why things are the way they are in the Wizard of Oz, which was quite interesting. I would definitely recommend anyone to see it, if it is available. It was pretty awesome.
Last on my list of things to catch up on is that my dad departed for Germany last night for a business trip. He was supposed to leave at 7 PM, but that didn't happen. The first plane he was supposed to be on had some kind of electrical problems, and I believe the second one, as well. By the time he actually left, he was on his third plane and 4 (or more) hours late. It was lucky that he had brought his left-over sandwich from our lunch at Panera Bread right before he left for the airport. He was going to just leave it with us, but we said that we wouldn't eat it, so he brought it with him. At least he was lucky in that case. The last thing I want to mention is that we had our first big snow overnight. I'd have to say that there's at least 2 inches out there, and it's still snowing. Unfortunately, the roads will probably be cleared in time for tomorrow's school, and there won't be a snow day, but you never know. I'll just have to cross my fingers that the roads ice over or something weird like that. It truly is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! And that's it for now - until my next insanely long blog!!!!