Yesterday, Sister and I started off our X-mas morning by visiting our alma mater.

We originally planned to go running at the Back Bay (last time I was here was over two years ago – so crazy!!). But, because the sun was shining way too brightly for Sissy’s liking, we decided to head home and wait until it had gone down a little bit. Yes, you have found the two crazies that wait until the sun goes AWAY to go out. It’s the Indian blood in us.

But, on our drive home, I requested that we stop at CdM. I was so eager to see what it looked like since it had been years since I walked around the campus. The 200 building (which is probably not what it’s called anymore since I went there over 86 years ago) was wide open so we skipped down the hallways and shared memories of all our classrooms, teachers, and events.

The tables outside the library looked entirely different. I remember the days when we would all cram together there and review our history notes with one another (AKA one of our friends was summarizing the chapter out loud and I tried to absorb as many key words as I possibly could so that I could spit something back out for the actual test).

Sister and I squealed a little bit when we saw that Mr. Sizer was still teaching. He was one of our favorite teachers there. He was the ONLY teacher who stood outside his door and shook every single person’s hand before they entered his room. This led Sister and I to search for him on Facebook and then Google him in hopes that we’d find out some more information about him. The only thing that came up was that he attempted to dance like Justin Bieber in CdM’s annual Dancing with the Teachers. Sister and I plan to write a letter to him and send it to the school to let him know how wonderful he is and how special he made our high school experience!

We also saw Sr. Rojas’ new classroom – Sr. Rojas was my Spanish teacher for two years (Spanish 1 and AP Spanish). He was another one of my favorites. He made learning so fun and I always looked forward to going to his class. As a teacher now, I often think back on my own experience throughout the K-12 years and I always try to bring in a little bit of my favorite teachers’ methods and styles into my own classroom.

So many things looked drastically different, but there were several areas that looked exactly the same. The cafeteria (where I ordered cheesy bread and frozen lemonade on the daily) looked untouched. As if nothing changed. Except now on the menu, they offer some healthier options. Like coconut water. Which is probably a better choice than the 857-calorie cheese bread I used to eat every morning. Although I probably would have STILL ordered the cheesy bread. That. Shit. Was. Bomb.

Walking around the campus was a really special experience – especially since I was doing it with Sister. We pointed out all the different spots around campus that were significant in some way or another. Like where our lockers were each year (Sister shared her locker with her friend and thought she was the coolest kid around). Or where we sat and traded lunches with our friends. Or which class I was in when we found out about 9/11. Or where I volunteered for Best Buddies each year (which first sparked my passion for teaching students with special needs. LOOK AT ME NOW!).

In keeping with the blast-from-the-past theme, Sister and I drove over to Anderson – our elementary school. It [surprisingly] looked exactly the same. Except we were just a LOT bigger.

When we got home, Sister and I walked to the store, got a few things, and then came home to make lunch. Later in the evening, we met up with the family on Google Video Chat.

Obviously, I would love to be up north with them. But, since that ended up not working out, this was our next best option. It is really amazing that we could still be “together” on Christmas.

I got Starbucks and LOTS of wine from my Secret Santa. Best present ever. Both thoughtful AND practical. 🙂

Then, Papa, Sister, and I played Bananagrams. I was up against the two of them. And I was winning. And they didn’t like that. So they forfeited. And I won.

I like winning.

The rest of the evening, Sister and Papa watched a movie while Mom and Nani fell asleep on the couch and I finished up my third book on the Kindle! 🙂

It was a family-filled, fantastic Christmas.

Questions of the Day:

• How did you celebrate Christmas?
  
• What’s a recent “blast-from-the-past” moment you’ve had? 

So, we didn’t end up flying back up north for Christmas as planned.

Since my dad is covering another doctor next week, he is going to be insanely busy and requested that Sister and I stay home this week so that he could see our faces.

And when Dad makes a simple request like that, it’s pretty difficult for us to say no.

I was pretty bummed that I’d be missing out on Christmas with the cousins. Especially when THIS is the extent of our Christmas decorations at home:

I started to go off on a rant in our family group text about how it didn’t even feel like Christmas anymore. But I stopped myself shortly after I started. Because I sounded like a whiny, spoiled brat. I am blessed beyond belief to be celebrating at home (and with our single stocking hanging above the fireplace). There are so many people who don’t even get the option to be with family so, for that, I am very grateful.

When we found out we were staying, Sister and I went to the gym and then to Trader Joes to pick up some supplies for dinner tonight. One of my favorite games to play while waiting in line to check out is the, “Guess What’s For Dinner” game. Where you glance into people’s shopping carts, analyze their selections, and figure out what’s on the menu at their house. It’s also a good game to figure out who you would be friends with (e.g. people with LOTS of wine).

Sister and I found a recipe for Eggplant Parmesan. Which is RIDICULOUSLY challenging to make. So, unless you have a troop of people that are willing to dip sliced eggplant into three bowls of a variety of ingredients, fry each slice of eggplant, and then layer slices into a casserole dish, YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT IT.

It was also a little more challenging because Sissy wanted to make her own tomato sauce.

I may or may not have burned some skin during the frying process.

Also, it was BEAUTIFUL outside, so I may or may not have burned a few of the eggplant slices while I popped outside for some quick pics.

But it all turned out DEEEEEEE-licious in the end. And we have a massive amount of leftovers. Who wants to come over?

Dinner was a hit. And since Sissy passed out before everyone ate it, I got to accept all the compliments and pretend I slaved away over the stove all day. Nobody will eeeeever know. Except my Nani. Who tried to out me earlier and say we were both in the kitchen. Ugh. Grandparents. Trying to love everyone all the same.

After everyone left and the dishes were all clean, I curled up next to the fireplace with my Kindle. I’ve already read two books this week – almost done with my third. I’m going to need more recommendations soon!

Merry Christmas! <3

In a few hours, I’ll be on a plane BACK to San Jose.

Because, I [obviously] have to spend Christmas with this guy.

I can’t wait.

It is also my half birthday today. So please don’t hesitate to wish me on Facebook, Twitter, and/or any of the other social media options. I’m real big into half birthdays. Especially since mine falls on X-mas Eve.

And, just for shits and giggles:

Have I mentioned how much I love my California winters?

Merry X-Mas Eve! And a Happy Half Birthday to me! 🙂

Questions of the Day:

• Do you celebrate your half birthday?

• Where are you celebrating the holidays? 

Can’t believe it’s Winter Break! It hasn’t quite hit me yet, but I woke up and didn’t get that typical Sunday Stress, so maybe it’s finally soaking in.

Friday:

Pajama Day. Two benefits. 1) You get to be comfy all day. 2) You get to see the little munchkins in their cute PJs.

It’s so fun to have dress down or dress-up days. Seeing these kiddos wear something other than their uniform reminds me that they are just LITTLE BABIES.

After work, I went to Color Nails salon in San Jose for a much needed mani. (I would have done them myself, but I think taking off shellac is a pain in the butt and I would rather pay double to have someone do it for me). This new-to-me salon was SO quick and so cheap. It was only $23 for a gel manicure AND they got it done quickly (which is more important to me than the quality, to be honest. I like to be in and out, thank you very much). But they even did a really great job, which I didn’t expect.

Afterward, I drove over to Andrew and Brianna’s, where I got to try some of the famous BEAN DIP. Andrew’s a chef.

We played Heads Up and Telephone Pictionary with some of Andrew’s co-workers. Andrew works at the high school that some of my Cupertino kiddos now attend. One of the teachers there has some of my favorites on her caselaod! Such a small world.

Saturday:

I was originally going to fly back to SoCal on Saturday, but I just needed a day to get my head on straight and run errands before leaving. So I changed my flight to Sunday and used Saturday as a relaxing + productive day to transition into the holiday chaos!

Jen and I drove over to Mitsuwa on Saratoga to get some things and, obviously, I walked out with something that we didn’t intend on buying. But, hello.

It was calling my name. It’s also REALLY Sriracha-flavored and not like the pretend Sriracha Lays Potato Chips that taste nothing like the sauce.

After a few errands, we ended up at our favorite, Rio Adobe. Normally, I get the Havasu Salad, but the tortilla soup sounded like a good option.

I was right.

The rest of the day was spent reading and packing. And, obviously, Banana-Gramming.

I love winning.

Now, I’m heading out in a few hours. Can’t wait to see everyone. But especially this little monkey.

Questions of the Day:

• Favorite flavor popcorn?

• What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this week? (Aside from Christmas, OBVI).