My best gal Nicole has been out of town for two weeks. Too long! Now that she's back, she finally had the chance, tonight, to celebrate Christmas with her family, which consists of long-time honey and best friend Raul, his teenage son and daughter, and Nicole and Raul's two young girls (one just a few months older than Chupi--his "girlfriend" we like to say).
Chupi and I were over in the afternoon visiting with Nicole, and she asked if we wanted to stick around for Raul's enchiladas for dinner (hellz yes!!). Then she said, "well we're doing our Christmas after that. You're welcome to stay for that too if you want." I eagerly accepted this invitation, because for years now I have felt like an extension of Nicole and Raul's family. When I was going through a rough time a few months back, I felt like to could have spent every afternoon and evening in their home, just mooching off the feeling of family. Now, I do have my own family here of course, but sometimes it's just nice to be around a family that includes people of all different ages.
At Nicole's I get to talk to Sophomore Brielle. She reminds me of my own high school self, and I've had the chance to get super girlie with her discussing the male stars of Glee (ok, so I go for the teach while she's into the boys her own age, but still it was a bonding experience). I also get to talk to Senior Zach, or at least we can exchange a snide comment or two on his way through to his man-boy cave. I'll take it. I can get silly with 3rd grader Maya, who is full of big-sister-to-the-baby energy and always down to entertain the little ones while her Mom and I talk. She is most definitely the closest thing to a niece I have :) I can watch with the purest joy imaginable as Sureya and Chupi do their parallel play and even stop to give each other the occasional kiss. Awww. I can talk with Raul, about software things I don't understand, world events, and just grown up life in general. And always and forever, I can laugh with Nicole about things only her and I (in that whole room of people) find funny, share everything shareable in words, and reminisce over the 20 (!) years of our friendship.
Yes, there's no family gathering I would rather encroach on for
Today's New Activity: Crashing the Family Christmas
Now admittedly, tonight's events were not really the equivalent of just barging in on some stranger family. But still, I've never had the chance to see--up close--how another family does Christmas...the present opening part, that is.
At Nicole & Company's, it looks like this:
It's something like the Christmas present openings in my own family, only really nothing at all like that on account of a complete lack of ceremony. I don't know why everything seems to be ceremonial in my family. Everything is a big deal, especially when it comes to holidays. There is a lot of build-up and the thing goes on and on, followed by a good bit of reveling in the aftermath. I like how we do it in my family; I've always appreciated the on and on aspect of our familial celebrations. But sometimes I also really love and appreciate the more laissez-faire approach of Nicole's family.
I have never worried about the appropriate- or inappropriate-ness of anything I do in this wonderful family's company. Yes, this is true of most good friends...one is free to just be herself and let it all hang out. But it's even TRUER where Nicole is concerned because she just has a very relaxed and accepting attitude about almost everything. It's great to feel that at ease around people.
I mean really, in what other family Christmas present opening would the oldest child be allowed to stand in the doorway, shirtless and nomming on his own separate dinner some 45 minutes after the rest of the family ate:
Hahaha. Oh Zach.
The present opening lasted maybe 20 minutes...rather fast to me because everyone was opening at the same time, rather than the one-by-one, replete with ooing and awing that happens following each gift, in my family. There was a very quick paper and bow clean up, and then suddenly half the family disappeared into the netherworlds of the house. Nicole and the girls stayed and played with the new toys, and Sureya very generously allowed the tired and grumpy monkey to play with things she hadn't even had the chance to touch yet. What a sweetie.
All in all, Christmas came and went in a flash. But hey! It's a Tuesday, a work night, a school night. There were things to be done and dinner dishes to be cleaned and children to be put to bed. I just love that Christmas could even happen on a Tuesday night more than 2 weeks after the actual Christmas in Nicole's house.
Lest I sound like I'm judging in pointing out these differences in style, let me just say that I love every last thing about the way Nicole's family operates. I love everything that is the same and different about our families. And my life would be significantly altered, for the worse, if I didn't love and wasn't loved by them. They have been this incredible source of stability through all my unstable college days, through my numerous relationship ups and downs, and through my transition into something resembling adulthood.
Merry Christmas A/G clan!!!
Today has been a long and long, long day.
After last night's late Tron viewing, which went longer than I expected, an early morning wake up for work, and non-stop activity until this moment, I am exhausted...in the best possible way. But I do worry I may not make much sense as I write this. Here goes anyway...
One thing I love about my job is that is brings me into contact with all kinds of people who are into all kinds of business...excellent for referrals. The next time I need a new dentist, garage door installer, glass blower, fine gem cutter, floorer, chiropractor, etc, etc, I'm all set. But I didn't want a garage door installed this day. No,
Today's New Activity: Acupuncture
So when I decided I finally wanted to try acupuncture treatment (after a few years of curiosity), I needed look no further than David Villanueva, a customer who makes deposits every day for his business, Oasis Community Acupuncture.
The reason I was interested in going to see an acupuncturist now is that I am less than a week away from an appointment in which I will be dealing with some unpleasant business. The anticipation of this meeting has caused me not a little bit of stress and worry. I know I'm being Little Miss Vague there, but the details really aren't important to the story; what matters is that I'd heard acupuncture can help alleviate stress, along with about 14,000 other afflictions, so I wanted to give that a try.
When I walked into David's practice, I was surprised to see there was just one large room--closed off to the entrance by a room screen--in which were placed 5 reclining chairs, a portable stereo playing Vivaldi, and little else. David sat down with me for just a few minutes to talk about what brought me in, and then we were off to start the needling.
First, I filled out some paperwork and read an information sheet about the philosophy behind "community" acupuncture. Among other things, it mentioned that in China, acupuncture is practiced very differently than it often is in the West, and that part of the difference lies in the collective experience of treatment. Instead of each person being treated in a separate room, patients share a common space, the shared experience of healing thought to multiply its effects. I absolutely believe in this concept, so I was hoping other clients would come in while I was there.
The placement of needles took just a few minutes and not only did it not hurt, I scarcely felt them going in. Also, I don't know why but I was expecting these giant, scary things like a foot and a half long each, 20 of them sticking out of each appendage.
Yeah, it was nothing like that. The needles were very short and thin, and in all I think he placed maybe twelve...in my feet, hands, ear lobes, and the top of my head.
Oh, but before that part happened, I was asked to recline to whatever position was comfortable, given a blanket, and a space heater was turned on near my feet. So cozy! David said once the needles were placed, I was free to stay as long as I felt inclined, sleeping allowed.
About 10 minutes into my relaxation, another client walked in. I heard a few whispers (this person was clearly an established patient as little needed to be discussed) and the various sounds associated with the needle placement, but it was in no way distracting. Soon, that man was snoozing away.
Under normal circumstances I would never have been comfortable with the thought of reclining with my eyes closed in a semi-public room where other people could come in at any time. Ok, well I still wouldn't be comfortable with this idea under most circumstances. But I mean that before I would have taken one look at those 5 chairs and walked right out of there. This, however, is where the concept of newness and openness comes in. And I'm so happy I decided to stick around.
I can't say any monumental change took place during my visit (not that I would have expected it to in one visit), but the experience was definitely worthwhile, even if the *only* benefit were to be the absolute gift of having a quiet, peaceful place in which to just sit and be quiet, free from distraction or obligation. And with blankets. Fleece blankets.
It was incredibly relaxing and refreshing. I stayed there for about 40-50 minutes and just melted into that chair. I truly think I could have stayed all day if not for the fact that the monkey was waiting at home along with his uncle Kris, who'd flown in this morning for Christmas.
Leading to...
Today's *other* New Activity: The Niles Canyon Railway: Holiday Train of Lights
Wow! What fun this was. My Dad had heard about this holiday treat from coworkers and bought some tickets about a month ago (apparently this attraction is pretty popular and sells out). It's just this 7-mile span of track from Niles Canyon to Sunol (we boarded in Fremont). I'm not sure if it's part of a longer line carrying trains that actually have purpose other than to entertain, but it doesn't really matter. I'm glad if there are still a few things out there that serve no other purpose than to entertain :)
The train had lights all over the inside and out, and there were few outdoor cars for those who like the fresh air. There was a refreshment cart selling hot chocolate, brownies, and other goodies, and...drumroll please.....
Santa! I was a little worried about this last part, just because of the monkey's not-so-stellar track record with old Saint Nick. This Santa, however, did not evoke any looks of terror or even a whimper out of the little guy.
All the people aboard were cheerful and full of holiday spirit. I loved walking from car to car just to experience the travel through time (some were very, very old and full of novel charm. Some, like the above lounge car, were more modern (from the 70's maybe), but still full of novel charm).
I am too sleepy to function. Just want to say it was a wonderfully satisfying day.
And good night.
So pretty much my whole week's plans were anchored with the intent to take my son to see Santa for the first time today. Well, ok, it's my first time taking him to see Santa. He went with his grandparents for the first time last year. But anyway, the plan hit some snags this morning when for the first time I can remember (hey, another first!) he didn't go down for a nap at his usual 11am time, and ended up falling asleep at about 1:30pm. By the time we left the house (after I fed the boy and dressed him all cute in a moose sweater) it was cold, stormy, and just 1 hour before dark. That was all okay. I didn't have any other plans for the day.
We went to a mall that is never really too crowded, even at this time of year. Still, I was surprised to see that, on the 17th of December, there wasn't a single child in line to see the rather authentic-looking Santa they had working. The little village was nicely done, and the photo prices reasonable. I decided it was my lucky day and navigated the stroller through the winding line perimeter in no time. I was smiling the whole way, just super excited to be sharing this moment with my son and eager to see how he would react to old Saint Nick.
But alas, the boneheads at so-called Santa's Village had other plans.
Today's New Activity: Evil Santa, Evil Elves
Awww, see even writing that makes me sad. I was hoping to post about today's new activity being a fun visit with the baby to see Santa. But the thing just wasn't meant to be today, it seems. Ok so when we rolled up, nobody said anything. Like, I wasn't sure if someone was going to talk to me about the photo packages, give me some kind of instruction or something. But nobody did, so I just picked up a pricing brochure from a nearby pile of them and checked it out. The photo-taking girl and some kind of technician elf next to her stared at me impatiently, and then she said, "Santa's ready. Go ahead!" all mean like.
At that point, I thought Santa may try to soften the blow by saying something nice to the baby, smiling, opening up his arms, welcoming and jolly maybe. But no, he just looked at me like, 'you wanna hurry this up, lady?' I started unfastening the baby from the stroller, cooing things at him like, "you're gonna see Santa, and you can tell him what you want for Christmas, and he's really nice and he loves little monkeys like you."
Now, if I were a Santa, this is the point when I would smile, or just say ANYthing to the baby or the mom to avoid coming off like just another creep of a fat man in a red velour suit. With some trepidation, I placed the Monkey on Santa's lap, who still said absolutely nothing to comfort the boy or even do his damned Santa job. I mean, isn't Santa supposed to ask the kid what he wants for Christmas at least? I know I haven't seen a Santa in action up close in at least 25 years, so it's possible they've changed his job description, but still it seemed that a few words from the stranger whose lap a child has been placed in would be--at the very least--the polite thing to offer.
All of a sudden there was this loud, crashing bell sound coming from near the camera, and then flash! I moved inward toward the camera to try and get the baby--who was starting to cry at that point (this itself was a sign as he is so friendly and comfortable with strangers it has been a concern of mine that he could one day just run off with anyolebody)--to smile, and then both Santa and photo girl barked at me to get away or I'd be in the picture. The girl jingled the thing again and then flash. Another!
Only then (because I'd scarcely let go of the child before the first picture was taken) did I notice that his hair was all goofy, so I stepped forward to straighten it. And for that two seconds I could feel Santa's death stare boring into my neck. What gives?
I stepped away and jingle jingle flash! Then the photo girl proclaims, "That's three! Three is all you get!"
I grabbed the baby and went to look at the computer screen and she says, "Which one do you want?" The pictures were all terrible. First of all, the lighting was awful and left the whole scene looking totally flat. Also, one of the baby's pant legs was riding high and made him look kind hobo baby-like. But beyond that, the baby was making a sad face in two of the shots, and a neutral in the third. She pointed to this neutral shot and said, "This one's good. He's smiling."
Smiling? What joke of a Santa school did this motley crew graduate from?! Even Santa wasn't smiling in the pictures. I said, "Is there no way we can take another? I mean I didn't know you were gonna take the pictures that fast. Can I try and make him smile?" (Because for some strange reason that jingle crash you're making over there just doesn't seem to be doing it (?))
She said, "Well I can take another but then these will be erased."
That would be a real shame.
I walked the baby over to Santa and moved to put him back in his lap. "She said we can take another," I said, "Can I give him to you?"
The face he made in response to this question was exactly the one I picture a person making if asked: "Hey, would you mind hanging onto this hole-ridden sack of unmatched hippopotamus testicles and rapidly decomposing dingo carcasses for me?"
Even so, I was already setting the baby down in his lap; but in that moment--when I saw that facial response--the Mama in me said, 'oh No Ho Ho. I don't think so.' I scooped the boy back up and said, "You know, never mind. It's okay."
I turned and caught photo girl looking at me as if to say, "So which of these lovely mugshots will you be taking home with you?" At that point I couldn't stifle my laugh. What a ridiculous scene. It honestly felt as though I'd interrupted their plans to smoke a big fat joint or something.
And you know, I have a lot of patience for bad customer service. I certainly understand bad days, being sick of people, sick of talking, sick of your crappy job. But this Santa had to really go out of his way, grow a beard, grow a belly, in order to work with kids and be mf'n SANTA CLAUSE! How can you apply for this job if you don't absolutely *love* the little fellas? It was too much.
I didn't mind the whole thing terribly because we already had plans to visit a different Santa on Sunday with my parents. Hopefully his nature will be a little more Santa-like. And even if the baby cries during the photo, I will buy it, because I think those pictures are super funny. But I'll only do so if I see that at least that Santa tried to do the right thing and make a child happy during this one very special moment in his brand new life.
It occurred to me afterward why there was absolutely nobody in line ahead of or behind me to visit this Grinch-in-Santa's-clothing. Apparently word got around and I was just out of the loop. No matter; the little monkey's oversized heart didn't miss a beat, and he was back to his smiling little self immediately following our parting ways with Santa Evil.
Still, I can't wait to give him the Saint Nick experience his sweetcheeks deserve :)
