Posts Tagged ‘holiday’

It’s hard to believe that it’s already Wednesday, and I’ve been back in the Bay Area for two days after my excursion home. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m getting older (and thus days are a smaller percentage of my whole life) or what, but it really felt like this past weekend FLEW by.

As always, it was fantastic seeing family and friends…and the trip back home was even more special because there is a new member of the family coming shortly. It’s funny and a bit sad when I think about it…the last time I saw my cousin she wasn’t pregnant at all, this time I saw her with the baby bump, and the next time I see her there will be a little wiggling human who is related to me.

It’s times like these when I really miss being around family and being able to see them whenever I wanted. Thank goodness for Skype and webcams….the baby will probably think that I am a 2D person for a good portion of his early life. At least he (hopefully) won’t freak out when he sees that I am three dimensional.

Anyway, Friday was mostly work and getting prepped for the surprise baby shower. It was the first baby shower that I have ever participated in, let alone throw, so I wasn’t sure what the proper etiquette was. Regardless, it turned out to be a great time - and I LOOOOVE throwing surprises!

In addition to the presents, the cake, the food … we played the obligatory “smell the diaper” game. For those of you who have NEVER heard of this game, you basically melt different chocolate bars into…diapers. And then you make your guests guess what they are.

I don’t know about you, but it did turn out pretty realistically….grody…

Sunday was mostly spent hanging out with family and friends and then jam packing in even MORE family and friends time on Monday, before my flight.

The only small downside to Memorial Day in Texas is getting used to the 90+ degree Texas heat after being away for 7 months. I’m starting to feel as though I’m losing my Texan-ness (if that exists) since I whined to my mom multiple times that it was just sooooooo hot.

And then she told me the weather in Texas was actually cooler than it had been. Yikes.

My friend also mentioned that I seem paler than I have ever been before. I guess that’s what happens after 2 years living in a fog - and not just a mental one. Har.

Anyway, family and friends aside….the other highlight was the FOOD.

Chick-Fil-A, Rudy’s Barbeque, and Popeye’s Southern Style Fried Chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes and corn. Oh, and not picture of course is Fat Straws and home cooking.

I do love Texas.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the discoveries I made when I moved out to the Bay Area was YELP - a way to review anything and everything.  But the real interesting thing about Yelp in the Bay Area is how strong the community is…not only are there parties, get-togethers, contests…everybody seems to know everybody else.

I was very lucky and somehow managed to score “elite” status for 2008, so in celebration of the upcoming holidays YELP threw a massive holiday bash at the Exploratorium.

The desserts, food, and drinks kept coming and happy YELP-ers alike mingled and PLEYed to their heart’s content.

Pretty sweet!

For those of you who don’t yelp yet, I highly encourage it.  It’s addicting.